Solves environmental and economic challenges in energy and mining by developing innovative technologies that enhance outcomes and stewardship.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (CEES) works with industry and communities to help solve environmental and economic challenges in energy and mining. The 12,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art laboratory combines cutting-edge technology with unparalleled expertise in tailings management, greenhouse gas reduction, process water treatment, sustainable energy systems, and site remediation.
In addition, the facility hosts the Technology Access Centre for Sustainable Mining (TACSM), delivering specialized services across three pillars: resource management, water management, and tailings management.
• Technology validation/scale-up sample characterization
• Tailings management
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Process water management
• Sustainable energy and mining
• Tailings site remediation
• Advanced ore/stream characterization
• Flocculation/coagulation testing
• Evaluation of natural dewatering technologies
• Evaluation of large-strain self weight consolidation
• Advanced water characterization
• Industrial water and wastewater treatment
• Flotation
• Geoenvironmental engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Membrane technology
• Rheology
• Geochemical characterization
- Chemical industries
- Clean technology
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Mining, minerals and metals
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatograph with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (UHPLC-QTOFMS) | The QTOF is equipped with 3 different ion sources, electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) to enable a wide variety of samples to be analyzed. The UHPLC enables the separation of components in complex mixtures. |
| Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF) | Capabilities include characterization of homopolymer and copolymer molecular weight distributions, composition and deconvolution of homopolymer and copolymer mixtures, hydrocarbon analysis quantification and characterization. |
| X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) | Used for materials characterization such as crystal structure, physical properties of materials and thin film. |
| Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF) | Capabilities include elemental analysis in different kinds of samples: solids, liquid or powder. |
| Atomic Force Microscope – Raman (AFM-Raman) | Used to link the molecular information obtained by confocal Raman microscopy with the high-resolution surface information (structural and topographic surface imaging on the nanometer scale) acquired by AFM. |
| Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) | Utilized for thermal analysis in which physical and chemical properties of materials changes with temperature, such as decomposition, degradation mechanism, thermal stability, oxidation, combustion. |
| UV–Vis Spectrophotometer | Analyze a variety of samples by conventional spectroscopy but advanced techniques can be implemented using the fibre optic accessory |
| Bruker Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) | FTIR with fixed path; attenuated reflectance and diffuse reflectance cells for the analysis of wide variety of organic compounds, films and powders. Measurement of naphthenic acid content in process affected waters. |
| Capillary Suction Timer | Capillary Suction Time (CST) is a commonly used method to measure the filterability and the easiness of removing moisture from slurry and sludge in numerous environmental and industrial applications. |
| Dissolved and Total Organic/Inorganic Carbon Analyzer (DOC/TOC) | Measures the amount of dissolved or total organic/inorganic carbon present in a liquid or water sample. |
| Gas Chromatograph (GC) | Four units specializing in sulfur, methane, and simulated distillation gas chromatography (GC): • Sulfur GC: Conduct detailed sulfur analysis. Capable of delivering quantitative sulfur results for light hydrocarbon matrices. |
| Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) | Perform investigative chemistry work using mass spectroscopy. Able to identify samples with unknown constituents using mass spectroscopy. |
| Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) System | Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy is an analytical technique used for the detection of chemical elements. |
| Ion Chromatography (IC) System | Ion chromatography is a method for separating ions based upon their interactions with resin (stationary phase) and the eluent (mobile phase). Used for measuring major anions and cations in process affected waters. |
| CHNS Organic Elemental Analyzer (OEA) | Determination of organic elements – Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulfur (CHNS) – by combustion and Oxygen by pyrolysis. |
| Specific Resistance to Filtration (SRF) apparatus | Used extensively as a measure of dewaterability. |
| BET Surface Area Analyzer | Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Measure surface area of particles. |
| Benchmark S Heated Oil Centrifuge | Designed for determining basic sediment and water (BS&W) content in crude oil or refined petroleum products on benchtops at indoor locations without Class I, Division 2 requirements. Fully insulated to prevent heat loss and allow for more accurate temperature control. |
| Membrane Technology Assessment Program (MTAP) pilot skid | |
| Oil-in-Water & Water-in-Oil Test Loops |
Private and public sector research partners
- Canada Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA)
- Alberta Innovates (AI)
- Institute for Oil Sands Innovation (IOSI)
- Ledcor Environmental Solutions Ltd.
- Suncor Energy Inc.
- University of Alberta
- SNF Group
- Sterling Specialty Chemicals
- Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL)
- Graymont