Oryx GTL to fund Qatar varsity research project

Qatar University’s Gas Processing Centre (GPC) will receive funds and expertise from Oryx GTL to pursue a research project in the area of CO2 management, as per a Memorandum of Understanding signed the other day.“Process Development for CO2 Capture: Bench Scale Tests of Selected Chemical Solvents” will evaluate the performance of different chemical solvents in capturing CO2 from the flue gas of a simulated natural gas-fired power plant.Qatar University, through the GPC, will provide laboratory space, equipment and manpower for the project duration. There will be information exchange and joint monitoring of the programme between the two parties as well as joint activities such as workshops and conferences, supporting students’ projects, summer training supervision and other activities that will advance the programme’s objectives and ensure students’ opportunities for field experiences. College of Engineering’s acting dean Dr Rashid al-Ammari described the MoU as another example of the shared vision of collaboration between academia and industry towards a common vision.   “We look forward to continuing our long relationship with Oryx GTL especially on this research project which studies an area of great importance not only to the GPC but to Qatar and the rest of the world in dealing with CO2 mitigation”. Oryx GTL chief operating officer Etienne Rademeyer said a key objective of the agreement is to assist the GPC in developing its research portfolio, which is vital for the future of Qatar’s gas industry and its role in the National Vision 2030.  “Oryx GTL is committed to supporting academic work in Qatar to help overcome these challenges to the sustainable development of our natural resources, and we look forward to the findings of this research project.”GPC director professor Abdelwahab Aroussi said the MoU will help to advance the project which deploys a suite of research tools to develop CO2 scrubbing technology needed for Qatar. “The research aims to establish a laboratory testing facility to evaluate the performances of chemical solvents to capture CO2.  It is an invaluable opportunity for us to collaborate with Oryx GTL on this research that will be of great benefit to Qatar and will provide our students with knowledge and skills to meet Qatar’s needs for professionals in this field.”Oryx GTL technical manager Marcel Krause pointed out Oryx GTL was brought into existence to pioneer novel technology.“We were the first world scale GTL plant and we led Qatar into the future as the world’s GTL capital. With QU and GPC, we are proud to once again go back to our roots and take a pioneering role, this time in the development of cutting-edge fundamental scientific knowledge.” Pages 29,34