Research goal is to reduce energy consumption in upgrading process
Today, the University of Calgary announced a new research chair at the Schulich School of Engineering aimed at designing new methods of upgrading bitumen from oil sands. The NSERC/Nexen/Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions Industrial Research Chair in Catalysis for Bitumen Upgrading will support research to reduce the environmental impact of oil sands production.
“Alberta’s oil sands resources are vitally important when it comes to meeting national and global energy demand and generating economic and social benefits in Canada,” says Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calgary. “At the same time, we need sustainable methods of extracting our natural resources while minimizing the impact on our planet. The University of Calgary is proud to work with industry and government partners to be a leader on these important advances.”
“Our goal is to make significant reductions in energy consumption, which means significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, a reduction in the impact on our environment,” explains Dr. Pedro Pereira Almao, NSERC/Nexen/Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions Industrial Research Chair in Catalysis for Bitumen Upgrading. “Upgrading is expected to become faster, cleaner and more economical.”
Dr. Pereira Almao’s work involves the creation of new upgrading methods that use catalysts, which are substances that cause or accelerate chemical reactions. His team of 13 engineers and technicians will see the addition of 17 more graduate students through this new research program. Their laboratory operates like a mini refinery where experts simulate different upgrading techniques. They will build upon methods pioneered by Nexen Inc. for its Long Lake oil sands facility, the first site to implement upgrading technology that reduces the need to burn natural gas.
"At Nexen, we're very proud to be collaborating with our partners on this important Industrial Research Chair, aimed at strengthening the oil sands industry by improving efficiency and reducing environmental impacts," says Marvin Romanow, President and CEO of Nexen Inc. "It's an exciting partnership between academia, two levels of government and industry, using technological innovation to responsibly advance oil sands production."
Nexen Inc. is one of the collaborators in the creation of this research chair. The University of Calgary’s other partners are the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solution (AI-EES).
“Dr. Pereira Almao is an internationally recognized leader in catalytic research who has made significant contributions to his field,” said NSERC President Dr. Suzanne Fortier. “His work has led to innovations that have already been introduced to the petroleum industry. His research will address many critical industrial challenges in an important sector for Canada.”
“AI-EES has been at the forefront of work on next generation upgrading technologies to reduce the energy and water requirements of existing technologies. The work of this research chair will further the knowledge to industry, resulting in reduced capital costs and greenhouse gas emissions,” says Dr. Eddy Isaacs, CEO of AI-EES, the lead agency for energy and environmental research and innovation in Alberta.
The total funding for the research chair is $4.7 million for five years, including $320,000 per year from NSERC, $320,000 per year from Nexen and $300,000 per year from Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions.
In addition to his research and teaching roles at the Schulich School of Engineering, Dr. Pereira Almao is also a fellow with the University of Calgary’s Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) and director of the multidisciplinary In Situ Energy Centre.
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