Once Through Steam Generation Lab
Located in the Energy Resources Research Building and the University Research Centre Building in the University Research Park, this lab features two lab-scale OTSG test rigs which test processed water from the regional oilsands facilities. These innovative test rigs and supporting applied-research infrastructure, are being used by researchers, faculty, students, new graduates, and HQPs from SAIT, the University of Calgary, and the University of Alberta in collaboration with COSIA members, industry experts, and consultants.
The outcome of the OTSG applied research is to find key solutions to critical operational and environmental challenges associated with steam generation for in-situ oilsands and rapidly assist the adoption of best-in-class practices.
The funding for this laboratory was made possible by, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Alberta Government, and COSIA with additional contributions from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Industry Research Chair for Colleges (IRCC) program, and Alberta Innovates (AI).
Intellectual property and innovative engineering was provided by ConocoPhillips Suncor Energy and General Electric Global Research Centre.
Advanced Analytical Energy Lab
Dedicated to the analysis of wastewater from oil and gas industries, in this lab we help the industry identify and understand issues needed to solve the adaptation of the conventional energy challenges using innovative ideas. It has a variety of testing capabilities, from benchtop analysis to sophisticated analytical chemistry analysis.
With state of the art instruments, we are able to meet the highest QA/QC results for our clients.
Equipment found in this lab
ICP-OES Spectrometer
The Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) is used to determine the elemental composition of elements and to quantify trace metals and some non-metal elements in aqueous, organic and solid samples. The latest design enables simultaneous analysis of up to 66 elements with detection limits as low as ppb level.
FTIR Nicolet Spectrometer
This peice of equipment is used for the detection of oil and grease by FTIR and naphthenic acids present in water samples. It's equipped with an Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Sampling Accessory, which provides rapid analysis with little sample preparation.
XRD (X-ray Diffraction)
Our x-ray diffraction machine is used for phase analysis on shale samples.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Purge and Trap
Purge and Trap works by a measured amount of sample being placed into a sealed vessel where the sample is then purged with an inert gas which causes the VOCs to be swept out of the sample and into the analytical trap.
TOC-L Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
Used for the measurement of total organic carbon and total inorganic carbon in water samples, this piece of equipment also has the capability of analyzing solid samples.
Energy Storage and Fuel Cell Research Lab
This lab is where most of our energy storage systems research is conducted. We focus on vanadium and lithium redox flow batteries and solid oxide fuel cells. It has a variety of testing capabilities, from benchtop analysis to sophisticated analytical chemistry analysis. With state of the art instruments, we are able to meet the highest QA/QC results for our clients.
Prototype Testing Lab
In this lab we focused on the application of groundbreaking ideas and materialize them. It has a variety of testing capabilities, from benchtop analysis to sophisticated analytical chemistry analysis. With state of the art instruments, we are able to meet the highest QA/QC results for our clients.
Water Research and Innovation Laboratory
The Water Research and Innovation Lab is located in the Senator Burns Building on SAIT's main campus. It has state-of-the-art infrastructure, equipment, and chemical instrumentation to conduct accurate analytical characterization of water and solid contaminants. The sources of water and their contaminants may vary because they come from various sectors such as agriculture, biofuels, biomass, infrastructure, construction wastewater ponds, salty retention ponds from road transportation deicing operations, produced water from formations, process or disposal water from energy and environmental, industrial operations to name a few.
This lab is equipped to conduct a range of chemical and environmental testing, allowing partner companies to test water, fluids, and solids cost-effectively, or alternatively, partner with us to build, operate and test new water treatment technologies, or access testing services for skid mounted or packaged water treatment or pilot desalination systems prior to commercialization.
Equipment found in this lab
ICP-MS/MS-Triple Quad
This piece of equipment is used to quantify many trace metals, and non-metal elements present in samples. It is also used to analyze liquid samples, solid samples, plant samples, and other types of samples after proper sample preparation.
Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS)
For scanning electron microscope/backscatter diffraction images of prepared solid samples. With the Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, quantitative elemental analysis can be performed.
High-Pressure Ion Chromatography (HPIC)
Used for routine ion chromatography applications for water, food and beverage, biofuels and pharmaceutical analysis. This piece of equipment can analyze anions and organic acids simultaneously using the same column.