Second Project to be Completed in February 2013
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 08 May, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and Siemens, global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, today jointly announced the successful completion of their first carbon capture and storage (CCS) research collaboration project.
The project focuses on CO2 capture at gas-fired power stations and utilization of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR)..
The meeting of an advisory committee of representatives from Masdar Institute and Siemens also announced that a second R&D project is progressing satisfactorily. In addition, the committee finalized ideas for potential research projects in the Master’s and PhD levels.
The first project on “Evaluation of CO2 Purification Requirements and Techno-Economic Evaluation of Processes for Impurities Deep Removal from the CO2 Product Stream” began in May 2011 and the final presentation was provided recently. Dr. Mohammad Abu Zahra, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, Masdar Institute, was the project lead with Dr. Toufic Mezher, Professor – Engineering Systems and Management, as the co-project lead. Second Year student Zeina Abbas of the Engineering Systems and Management, delivered the final report of the project to Siemens after defending her thesis.
Started in December 2011, the second project titled “Evaluation of Handling Approaches of Solid Waste Generated from the Post-Combustion Process Considering Regulations in UAE” is currently progressing. The project, which focuses on the evaluation of CO2 capture process waste reuse and recycling in the UAE is expected to be completed in February 2013, according to the original plans. The project team members include Dr. Mohammad Abu Zahra, Dr. Toufic Mezher and First Year student Laila Nurrokhmah of the Engineering Systems and Management program, who will deliver her project report.
Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said: “The research partnership with Siemens strongly reflects the extent of our cooperation with international companies. This is also part of our human capital building endeavor to facilitate a knowledge-based economy in the UAE. We acknowledge Siemens’ contribution to the success of the first carbon capture project as we look forward to other potential areas for partnerships.”
Dr. Steve Griffiths, Executive Director of Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute, said: “The completion of this CCS project furthers our progress in delivering research that brings direct benefits to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Close research collaboration between Siemens and Masdar Institute has enabled the successful completion of the project. We thank the country’s leadership for their consistent support to our endeavor in advanced and sustainable technology research.”
Nicolas Vortmeyer, Head of New Technologies in the Siemens Energy Fossil Division, said: “Siemens remains committed to supporting the research and educational activities related to CCS within Masdar Institute, to help CCS capacity building in the UAE. The research projects reflect our long-term collaboration to continuously develop CO2 post-combustion capture technologies that are suitable to the GCC region. We are confident our partnership will extend to cover more areas in sustainable technology for the benefit of the wider community.”
Sponsored by Siemens, the first project evaluated the CO2 purification requirements for the CO2 pipeline transportation, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and CO2 geological storage; assessed the CO2 streams specifications and impurities from the major CO2 capture technologies and finalized the selection and techno-economic evaluation of the processes for CO2 stream impurities deep removal.
The second project evaluates the possibilities of CO2 capture process waste reuse as a raw material and waste recycling in the chemical industries, to study the disposal method for the non-reusable waste considering the regulations in the UAE and to analyze the performance vs. cost ratio in waste reuse, recycling, and disposal.
Dr. Mohammad Abu Zahra, who is leading the Siemens-Masdar Institute CCS collaboration and the coordinator of the CCS research activities within Masdar Institute, received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Jordan. He obtained his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Twente and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Delft Technical University in the Netherlands. His research interests include the development of CO2 capture technologies including the development of advanced solvents, solid sorbents and novel process concepts.
Dr. Toufic Mezher earned a BS in Civil Engineering from University of Florida, and a Master’s and ScD in Engineering Management from George Washington University. His research interests include Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy Policy, Building Knowledge-Based Economies and Innovation Systems, and Knowledge Management.
For Siemens, the research and development aspect of the partnership with the Masdar Institute is the largest global investment of its kind with a science and technology organization. It comprises a long term R&D program for Smart Grid, Smart Buildings, and Carbon Capture and Storage and includes grants, scholarships and educational programs for the advancement of the knowledge economy in the UAE.
Established as an ongoing collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
