NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Control of Oil Sands Processes

虽然油砂开发的经济效益是显而易见的，但要可持续地开发这一宝贵的加拿大资源，就必须将石油开采的成本和环境后果降至最低。近十年来，由于全球的需求，油砂行业经历了前所未有的发展，伴随着生产成本的大幅上升。市场现实要求油砂开发具有战略性，要求降低运营成本。然而，寻找油砂可持续发展的解决方案(如用水、温室气体排放、尾矿)的重点是组成油砂作业的过程。我们建议采取不同的方法，将重点放在控制这些过程的系统上。过程控制系统至关重要，因为它们允许稳定和安全的过程操作、高效的生产、一致的产品质量、更少的浪费和更好的排放控制。在油砂行业实现更好的过程控制不仅仅是从其他行业引进技术的问题。油砂行业的控制系统面临着独特的挑战。新的NSERC-油砂过程控制行业研究教席的目的是开发解决方案，除了支持和改进该行业的既定解决方案外，还将导致创新的估计、监测和数据挖掘技术。具体地说，提出了传感器、过程安全和优化操作的解决方案。这些实用的解决方案得到了可靠的基础研究的支持。通过IRC计划，我们还将通过培养一批训练有素的过程系统工程和控制工程师来扩大加拿大油砂专业知识的广度和深度。我们的集成计划将使我们能够与行业合作，将研究成果转化为实施的解决方案，并培养具有良好就业前景的高素质人才。因此，加拿大将处于有利地位，能够满足其未来的行业需求。

While the economic benefits to oil sands development are evident, sustainable development of this valuable Canadian resource requires that the costs of oil extraction as well as environmental consequences be minimized. Over the last decade, due to the global demand, the oil sands industry has undergone an unprecedented development accompanied by a significant increase of production costs. Market reality requires strategic oil sands development and calls for reduction of operation costs. However, the search for solutions to the sustainable oil sands development (e.g. water use, greenhouse gas emissions, tailings) has focused on the processes that make up the oil sands operation. We propose to take a different approach by focusing on the systems that control these processes. Process control systems are critical because they allow for steady and safe process operations, efficient production, consistent product quality, less waste, and better control of emissions.Achieving better process control in the oil sands industry is not simply a matter of importing technologies from other industries. Control systems in the oil sands industry face unique challenges. The renewed NSERC-Industry Research Chair in Control of Oil Sands Processes is aimed at developing solutions that will lead to innovative estimation, monitoring and data-mining technologies in addition to supporting and improving the established solutions for the industry. Specifically, solutions for sensors, process safety and optimal operation are proposed. These practical solutions are backed by sound fundamental research. Through the IRC program, we will also extend the breadth and depth of Canada's oil sands expertise by creating a pool of highly trained engineers in process systems engineering and control. Our integrated program will enable collaboration with industry to convert research outcomes into implemented solutions, and train highly qualified personnel with excellent job prospects. As a result, Canada will be well-positioned to meet its future industry needs.