Innovative Projects Realized

Flow Optimization for Wormhole Regions of Post-CHOPS Reservoirs

This project aims to provide Canadian petroleum companies a comprehensive big-data-analytics tool that concludes the essential controlling parameters which enable successful experimental and numerical studies on CO2-based solvent injection processes in post-CHOPS reservoirs. The proposed database includes relevant experimental research work that expand through multiple experimentation scales, as well as relevant numerical research work that cover from pore network simulation, Darcy-scale reservoir simulation, CFD simulation etc. From experimental database, relevance between physical controlling parameters and recovery performances will be investigated. This enables the selection of the optimum operating schemes in oil field development. From numerical database, the most frequently tuned parameters in Darcy-scale reservoir simulations which facilitate successful history matching can be extracted so as to narrow down the parameters’ adjustment range and thus enhance the efficiency of field-scale simulation and production prediction. Meanwhile, foamy oil stability enhancement, residual oil remobilization, and high-permeability wormhole blockage will be investigated by a state-of-the-art microfluidics laboratory, and such findings will be added into the big data analytics tool for deeper and continuous training and validation. Altogether, flow optimizations for wormhole regions of post-CHOPS reservoirs will be realized.

PREDICT: Parallel Resources for Early Detection of Immediate Causes of Tsunamis

With this project we propose a re-thinking of ICT infrastructure to include a framework that exploits commodity many-core systems to evaluate models. The framework permits comparison, evaluation and improvement of competing and complementary models and appear to hold promise. Our proposal focuses on the computationally intensive tasks associated with near-field Tsunami detection, leveraging parallelism to process environmental conditions in real-time to deliver informed warnings to populations at risk. By keeping a human-in-the-loop, we include new services that support crowd-sourcing within the framework, allowing integration of sensor data with media-rich voluntary participant input. Monte Carlo simulations of relevant ocean models highlight necessary precursors and likelihoods of potential threats.
Expected benefits to ONC includes the advancement of a modeling and simulation infrastructure that can be used in developing a marine hazards detection and notification system that meets global requirements.

Floodplain maps inventory and pathway for flood-induced risk assessment in BC

The BC Real Estate Association aims to develop the localized flood vulnerability index (LOFVI). The intention is to increase awareness of new floodplain maps among governments, realtors and consumers through the final report and assess the impact of senior government funding programs. The first step will be to update and prepare an inventory of floodplain maps across the province of BC, which will provide important information that communities need for land use decisions alongside helping property buyers make informed decisions. Secondly, assessment of flood-induced risks and development of a LoFVI, while taking Kelowna as a case study. The methodological pathway would further help develop a functional index for BC i.e. BCLoFVI.

Investigate machine learning algorithms todevelop anomaly detection methods on real-timedata: Non-parametric approaches

The industry partner, Metafor is developing a new class of IT system management solution. As part of
this project, Metafor is building a product feature that monitors computer and network activities and
looks for signs of anomalies. This is an important problem as anomalies are usually associated with
abnormal user or system behaviors that can potentially result in problems such as system breakdown.
As the properties of anomalies and normal behaviours are stochastic and dynamic by nature, efficient
and intelligent signal processing and machine learning algorithms are required to detect these
anomalies. In this project, the intern will do a comprehensive survey on the state-of-the art of real-time
anomaly detection; investigate a set of system indicators or features as well as machine learning
algorithms that can potentially be useful in detecting anomalies. Finally, the intern will implement
suitable algorithms to predict the presence of anomalies in the system in real time.

Strategic Community Investment – A Toolkit for Junior Exploration Companies

After reviewing a plethora of toolkits published by industry organizations such as the ICMM and PDAC, a set of
simple to use tools have been summarized in the toolkit. The aim of the toolkit is to help junior and mid-tier
producers to understand the importance of sustainability programs and how to best engage with community
members and partner with NGOs. This toolkit is useful for Keegan Resources because it provides management
review tools and guidelines on how to establish key performance indicators to monitor and evaluate its own
progress. Since the toolkit covers topic from stakeholder engagement to establishing partnership, it also
means as the company expands and starts acquiring other exploration sites, its current community investment
efforts is replicable as there will be simple guidelines to follow when entering a new community.

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis for Production of Synthetic Jet Fuel – Year two

Greenfield Global is developing a process to produce jet fuel from renewable materials, such as waste biomass and organic municipal waste. Fischer–Tropsch synthesis converts a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) that was produced from the waste biomass and organic municipal waste into a synthetic crude oil that can be refined to produce jet fuel. This project deals only with Fischer–Tropsch synthesis.

Much is already known about Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and the objective of the work in this project is to fine-tune the catalyst and technology for synthetic jet fuel production. In collaboration with Greenfield Global, a pilot plant with multi-stage tubular packed bed reactors filled with an iron-based catalyst will be designed and commissioned to evaluate the design envisioned for their synthetic jet fuel process. Important objectives are to maintain reaction conditions so that heat can be recovered by generating high-pressure steam, to enable sufficiently high overall conversion that recycling of synthesis gas can be avoided, and to produce a product that would benefit refinery design for jet fuel production.

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis for Production of Synthetic Jet Fuel

Greenfield Global is developing a process to produce jet fuel from renewable materials, such as waste biomass and organic municipal waste. Fischer–Tropsch synthesis converts a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) that was produced from the waste biomass and organic municipal waste into a synthetic crude oil that can be refined to produce jet fuel. This project deals only with Fischer–Tropsch synthesis.

Much is already known about Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and the objective of the work in this project is to fine-tune the catalyst and technology for synthetic jet fuel production. In collaboration with Greenfield Global, a pilot plant with multi-stage tubular packed bed reactors filled with an iron-based catalyst will be designed and commissioned to evaluate the design envisioned for their synthetic jet fuel process. Important objectives are to maintain reaction conditions so that heat can be recovered by generating high-pressure steam, to enable sufficiently high overall conversion that recycling of synthesis gas can be avoided, and to produce a product that would benefit refinery design for jet fuel production.

Pavement Deterioration Analytics: Data-driven Decision Making in Asset Management

This proposal aims to establish a collaborative research project between the City of Oshawa and the University of Toronto. It is part of the Teaching City Initiative. The immediate objective of this proposal is to use data collected over the last seven years to update pavement deterioration curves. The new dataset is larger (11700 data points in contrast to the original dataset of 1700 data points). The new dataset is also more reliable and, hence, can help make the curves more accurate. In addition to the analytics of the curves, the study will also conduct analyses regarding the use of the curves in the decision-making process; and on enhancing the process of selecting the most appropriate intervention actions

Land capability modeling for the Canadian prairies towards ecosystem services offset protocols – Year two

Humanity faces the triple challenge of stabilizing climate, ensuring food security, and safeguarding nature. Innovative approaches for climate- and biodiversity-friendly agriculture capable of sustaining resilient production landscapes are urgently needed. Carbon markets offer a platform for market-driven solutions that incentivize soil carbon sequestration through nature-based solutions. Canada employs a cap-and-trade scheme for domestic carbon credit trading on route to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Prairie grasslands are fundamental to meeting Canada’s climate targets owing to the significant soil carbon debt attributable to decades of unsustainable practices and agricultural conversion. However, currently there is no grassland protocol in Canada to verify the carbon offsets generated through improved grassland management, grassland restoration, and/or avoided conversion of native grasslands. The proposed research aims to (1) model carbon sequestration-storage potential of Canada’s prairie grasslands; (2) assess the economics of using carbon-offsets for grassland conservation and restoration within Canada’s Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change; and (3) model the biodiversity-habitat value of Canada’s prairie grasslands.

Land capability modeling for the Canadian prairies towards ecosystem services offset protocols

Humanity faces the triple challenge of stabilizing climate, ensuring food security, and safeguarding nature. Innovative approaches for climate- and biodiversity-friendly agriculture capable of sustaining resilient production landscapes are urgently needed. Carbon markets offer a platform for market-driven solutions that incentivize soil carbon sequestration through nature-based solutions. Canada employs a cap-and-trade scheme for domestic carbon credit trading on route to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Prairie grasslands are fundamental to meeting Canada’s climate targets owing to the significant soil carbon debt attributable to decades of unsustainable practices and agricultural conversion. However, currently there is no grassland protocol in Canada to verify the carbon offsets generated through improved grassland management, grassland restoration, and/or avoided conversion of native grasslands. The proposed research aims to (1) model carbon sequestration-storage potential of Canada’s prairie grasslands; (2) assess the economics of using carbon-offsets for grassland conservation and restoration within Canada’s Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change; and (3) model the biodiversity-habitat value of Canada’s prairie grasslands.

Understanding Erosion Sensitivity in the Etobicoke Creek Watershed

The Etobicoke Creek watershed is heavily urbanized with erosion issues due to the high amount of impervious cover and creek channelization. This research will help to better understand the current erosion sensitivities and risks within the watershed for inclusion in a comprehensive watershed plan that will inform municipal land use and infrastructure planning.

Development of antiviral surfaces to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19

In March 2020, the new human coronavirus disease COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. As of May 21, 2020, the World Health Organization has reported over 4.8 million confirmed cases, including over 323,000 deaths worldwide. Only in Canada, the number of confirmed infections and deaths have reached over 80,000 and 6,000, respectively. Apart from the elevated rates of death and illness, this pandemic has caused major social and economic disruption throughout the world. This proposal is focused on development of thermally sprayed intrinsic antiviral coatings in order to mitigate the indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus. These coatings can be applied on touch surfaces such as the handrails, doorknobs, elevator buttons, ATM machines, and biomedical appliances in various public and service departments such as hospitals, schools, and the transport system. Another important targeted application is for air purification in the ventilation systems used in buildings, airplanes and other means of transport. Using thermal spray, a technology known for its versatility, scalability and cost effectiveness, we intend to develop antiviral coatings with materials such as TiO2, Cu2O, and TiO2/Cu2O. These materials have shown promise for their virus killing and anti-pathogen properties when exposed to UV light,TOBECONT’