Centre for Energy Research and Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions (CERCUTS)

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Calgary, Alberta
What the facility does

Technology solutions provider and energy innovation accelerator with a mission to harness the power of green energy initiatives and sustain conventional energy resources. 

Areas of expertise

Once-Through Steam Generation (OTSG): Develop procedures and treatments to enhance steam generation efficiency for in-situ industrial bitumen production, while expanding knowledge and evaluating strategies for mitigating and preventing fouling, scaling, erosion, and corrosion in boiler tubing, with a goal of reducing the carbon footprint and water usage for steam generation.

Water and Wastewater Treatment: Develop efficient systems to enhance the treatment of brackish water, municipal wastewater, industrial run-off, or other polluted water sources with the primary goal of improving water conservation, reducing freshwater usage, and innovating the water treatment industry.

Energy Storage Systems: Enhance grid stability, support renewable energy integration, and improve energy efficiency to drive improvements in performance, cost, and sustainability.

Hydrogen Technology: Study hydrogen as a key and emerging energy alternative. Focuses on improving production efficiency, transportation and storage methods, and infrastructure development to enable a hydrogen-based economy. 

Research services
  • Access early-stage research engagement for business development
  • Explore proof of concept ways to leverage investment and co-funding opportunities
  • Development, design, build and operation of prototypes
  • Support the achievement of positive results in technology performance and solutions
  • Investigate and find solutions to technology limitations
  • Technology verification and third-party validation services to enhance profitability
  • Gain access to local, regional and global innovation networks and drive brand awareness
Sectors of application
  • Chemical industries
  • Clean technology
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Mining, minerals and metals
  • Steam generation, scaling, and fouling studies: Evaluate the effects of water chemistry and additives on steam quality, inorganic scaling, and organic fouling using once-through steam generation systems (Once-Through Steam Generator test rigs).
  • Erosion and corrosion testing: Assess the impact of operating conditions on erosion and corrosion in steam generation systems (Once-Through Steam Generator test rig).
  • Elemental and metal analysis: Determine metals and mineral content in water samples at parts-per-million and parts-per-billion concentrations using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (Agilent 8900 Triple Quadrupole ICP‑MS system).
  • Infrared spectroscopic analysis: Detect and characterize organic compounds, including naphthenic acids, using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
  • Mineralogical and phase analysis: Identify crystalline phases and mineral composition in shale and powder samples using X‑ray diffraction (XRD).
  • Volatile organic compound analysis: Identify and quantify volatile organic compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC‑MS).
  • Organic carbon analysis: Determine total organic carbon content in water samples using a total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer.
  • Battery performance testing: Evaluate the cycling performance and durability of battery technologies using battery cycler systems.
  • Microscopic imaging and elemental mapping: Characterize materials and map elemental composition at the microscale using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy (Zeiss Scanning Electron Microscope with EDS).
  • Ion analysis: Detect and quantify inorganic ions in water samples using ion chromatography.
  • Arrowhead Abandonments
  • Pathways Alliance
  • ChampionX
  • Avatar Innovations
  • Suncor
  • Aqua-Cell Energy
  • BioLargo Canada
  • Frog Lake First Nation