Modeling, simulation, and life-cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions

Our research and development (R&D) utilizes modeling and simulation approaches to analyze energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during upgrading and refining of fuels derived from either fossil sources or biomass. A key goal of this team is to support emission policy and regulation development.

Our areas of focus

CanmetENERGY Devon’s Modeling, Simulation, and Life-cycle Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions R&D program addresses information and knowledge gaps at different levels of existing and emerging technologies that are used in bitumen upgrading, oil refining, and biorefining. Our modeling R&D covers:

Refining processes: develop robust process unit models based on fundamentals of hydrocarbon chemistry, thermodynamics and flow dynamics, and refinery catalysis, using information generated in our labs and pilot plants as input.
Plant-wide analysis: assemble plant-wide simulation models by integrating the different process units to generate detailed scenario analyses under a wide range of refinery-relevant conditions and configurations.
System-level assessment: through collaboration with leading life-cycle analysis scientists in Canada, we assess the techno-economic feasibility and carbon-intensity of novel and prospective fuel production pathways.