Pioneer Energy (USA) is in the business of creating portable chemical plants mounted on a semi-trailer which are manufactured locally and distributed to remote locations. They are developing one such system which converts waste flare gas emitted from natural gas (and shale gas) wellheads into butanol, a gasoline substitute. The McMaster team developed a model and an optimization framework which tried to determine the best ways to commercialize this technology in Alberta (such as specifically which wells to target, where to build pipelines, etc).
Impact
One paper was published, and the company continues to develop its technology and business plan for Alberta using the software and optimization framework we developed during this project.
Student Experience
The PhD student on the project was exposed to business considerations which informed the development of new technologies.
Countries
Canada, United States of America
Impact
Research
Institutional Partner(s)
Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation
Community Partner(s)
Industry Partner(s)
Pioneer Energy (USA)
Key Outcomes
Publications
Sponsorship
Provincial Foreign
Sponsorship Details
Pioneer Energy (USA) and an Alberta-based non-profit co-funded this project.