The test characterization of the stress-strain relationship and the fatigue/failure behaviour under combined mechanical-thermal cyclic loadings for pressure vessels in the petrochemical industry is quite expensive and time consuming. An alternative approach is the finite element numerical analysis which requires an accurate and reliable mathematical constitutive model for the metallic materials. In this project, a […]

In this project, a comprehensive review of relevant literature and case studies regarding landfarming of oily sludge will be conducted, and the optimal landfarming operation strategies will be proposed. A number of field experiments will be implemented to examine the impacts of different environmental factors on microbial activity. Specifically, the impacts of bulking agents and […]

Oil and gas resources are hidden deep within the earth in geological structures which form reservoirs for these fluids. Finding these reservoirs, and monitoring the flow of fluids within these structures requires advanced imaging technologies and algorithms for the successful recovery of these valuable resources. This project will develop a newly proposed mathematical approach to […]

The internship objective is to establish a reliability based design framework for high strength linepipe subject to internal pressure, axial force and end moment for monotonic loading conditions. Linepipe grade material with specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) equal to or greater than Grade 550 (X80) is defined as high strength linepipe. The mechanical performance design […]

The objective of this project is to develop a computational simulation model designed to determine how the resource-extraction industries of oil, gas and forestry influence woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) habitat selection and use in west central Alberta. Specifically, an agent-based model will simulate caribou as individual agents that 1) are capable of making trade-off decisions […]

Coke drums are major petroleum refinery and oil sands upgrading facilities associated with the processing of oil sands bitumen. The service lives of current coke drums are limited and frequent repairing is required due to severe cyclic thermal-mechanical load experienced. The objective of this project is to find root causes causing the damage/failure through more […]

The intern will work closely with the PPIC Sahara system design engineers to develop a new security control system to protect both the software and hardware of the Sahara system. The tasks will 1) propose a true random number generator based on the dsp controller 2) implement a cryptographic algorithm based on the random number […]

Over the last few years, optical fiber sensors have seen an increased acceptance as well as a widespread use for structural sensing and monitoring in civil engineering. FBG sensors have all the advantages attributed to the optical fibers. In addition, they can be easily multiplexed in a serial fashion along a single fiber. The experimental […]

In preparation for the 2011 UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation bid, Lambton County’s Oil Museum of Canada is undertaking a new project. The Oil Springs Social History Project will explain what the community of Oil Springs looked like when its population exploded as a result of the discovery of ‘Black Gold’. Described as a site […]

An understanding of the soil load and restraint on pipelines due to relative pipeline/soil movement is required to assess the pipeline mechanical response that may affect pipeline serviceability or integrity. Current engineering practice for pipeline/soil interaction is based on idealized structural-based numerical models that evaluate pipeline mechanical response using beam elements and soil behavior using […]

Pyrolysis uses high temperatures, in the absence of oxygen, to crack long and complex molecures into smaller molecules.  It has been successfully and separately applied to both (a) heavy oils, to produce lighter liquid fractions and solid coke byproduct in conventional oil refineries, and to (b) biomass, to convert solid residues into liquid bio-oils.  Pyrolytic […]

The project concentrates on developing a holistic approach to integrate bio-refinery with multiple feedstocks. The proposal is directed towards the use of all types of renewable raw materials except food. The project examines the possibility of retrofitting an existing petroleum refinery and petro-chemical complex into integrated bio-refinery to emphasize the utilization of existing infrastructure for […]