What do you get when you add two Masters and a Ph.D. in Process Systems Engineering to the International CCS Knowledge Centre?

•  a) Brilliance and deep knowledge?

•  b) New perspectives and emerging innovation?

•  c) Contribution to eight abstracts accepted by the coveted GHGT14?

•  d) Envy from others in the Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Sector?

•  e) All of the above?

If you guessed -e- as your answer, you’re right except to add, ‘and so much more.’  The 2017-2018 academic year has marked significant achievement for Dominika Janowczyk, Stavroula Giannaris, and Wayuta Srisang – the team of Engineers-in-Training at the International CCS Knowledge Centre.

The term Engineers-In-Training, however doesn’t accurately describe the wealth of knowledge gained in the 25 years of their collective education.

Dominika, 26, originally from a small city in northern Poland, called Czluchow – where she acquired her Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering at the University of Slupsk,specializing in Technical Physics and Eco-technologies - then completed her Master’sProcess Systems Engineering at University of Regina (UofR). 

Stavroula, 28, born and raised in Regina, gained two Bachelor Degrees at UofR the first in Science, specializing in Chemistry and the second, a Bachelor of Applied Science, specializing in Petroleum Systems Engineering before finalizing her Master’s in Process Systems Engineering also at the UofR. 

“It’s a win-win,” says Mike Monea, CEO of the International CCS Knowledge Centre, “While these young engineers gain the required practical, industry-based experience that they can’t get in the academic field, we gain their formidable knowledge – so actually it’s a triple win for us.”

All in a Day's Work

At work, these Engineers-in-Training are all building on their understanding of steam-cycle modelling, heat integration, data analysis and project development – whilst also working toward their professional engineer designation with APEGs (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan). However, their day-to-day focus is unique. 

Stavroula’s primary focus is working on a scaled-up feasibility study for a CCS retrofit on a coal-fired power plant that has the capacity to capture up to 2-million tonnes of CO2 per year – where a portion of the project is being completed in Japan. She's been heavily involved with the steam cycle modelling and project management.

“I’ve greatly enjoyed having the opportunity to be involved in the project management aspect of this study,” says Stavroula, “Working with partners on the other side of world has posed interesting challenges and I’m learning so much, not only technically but also about communication and coordination.”  

Currently Wayuta’s time is also focused on the scale-up study, but specifically on the capture plant design in the areas of process simulation and modelling a heat rejection system that abides to the restrictions of a zero-liquids discharge facility.  “I really enjoy learning from an industrial point of view and I am able to build on what I know,” says Wayuta, “One thing my Ph.D. has taught me is to not be intimidated to learn or research something new. It’s about patience and focus.” 

“I like the opportunity to apply my understandings in conventional and renewal sources of energy, energy conversion, environmental protection in the CO2 capture field,” says Dominika, “At work I learn something new every day - I can combine my knowledge to fight climate change - and I get to travel and meet great people.”

“It’s exceptional really – working with such a smart and engaged team of developing engineers,” says Corwyn Bruce, Head of Technical Services at the International CCS Knowledge Centre, “We have seen our efforts accelerate. Despite their learning curve, we have full confidence in the clarity and solidness of their work.”

International Recognition

In fact, their collective academic aptitude has significantly contributed to the International CCS Knowledge Centre’s distinguished position of presenting eight technical papers at the renowned GHGT14 – in October 2018. The conference, being held in Melbourne Australia, is a biannual premier technical conference on CCS that attracts cutting edge researchers from around the world to provide a platform for knowledge sharing and CCS growth. The eight papers being presented at the conference are identified in the table below. 

Furthermore, three of the papers being featured at the GHGT-14, have also been selected by the IEAGHG Technical Programme Committee for inclusion in a Special Issue of the distinguished International Journal Greenhouse Gas Control  (IJGGC), published by Elsevier.

What’s more is that Wayuta submitted an additional paper based on her work through her Ph.D. titled, Options for Integration of Solid Acid Catalyst-Aided CO2 Desorption Amine-Based Post Combustion CO2 Capture Process with a Coal-Based Electricity Generating Power Plant. This paper was not only accepted at GHGT-14 – but also at International Conference on Gas-liquid and Gas-liquid-solid Reactor Engineering being held in the spring of 2019 in Guilin, China. “It’s really rewarding having my work get recognition and being able to share my knowledge,” says Wayuta. 

Their Future is Bright

Wayuta, or perhaps more accurately can be referred to as Dr. Srisang, plays tennis and is active in the local Thai community. “I love getting together to share food and dance and hear my language – it’s comforting and reminds me of home.” Waytua’s favorite dish is green papaya salad. “It’s so crisp and fresh – it really is the best.” As for her career ambitions, Waytua’s interest is back in the academic world. “I really like teaching. Once I have gained industry experience, my ultimate goal is to become a professor.”

As for Dominika, her goal is to continue to advance her learning in areas of environmental control, instrumentation and process control and energy conversion and utilization.  “I am also passionate about sports, travelling and art,” says the two-time award-winning university volleyball champion, in both Poland and Canada. “But it’s my art that is really grabbed my focus lately. I love to draw and to paint.” 

Yet it’s gardening and an ‘obsession’ with fitness through obstacles races that consumes Stavroula’s spare time. “I plan on completing my first Spartan Trifecta this year - one race down and two to go.” For a career goal, Stavroula sees a part for her in overseeing projects. “Hopefully my combined academics and future work experience can enable me to move into managerial roles later in my career.”

It’s full steam ahead for these young and brilliant minds. So, indeed, with these scholars honing their experience at the International CCS Knowledge Centre, it is the envy of the CCS Sector. And we’re pretty proud too.