SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) provides opportunities for young, bright researchers like CICan Career-Launcher Internships intern, Marlon Norona, to become the next generation of energy thought leaders and bring transformative change through innovation in the field of clean and high-quality steam generation.

Norona is utilizing his education in chemical laboratory technology and hands-on analytical training at the Once Through Steam Generation (OTSG) laboratory, in the Centre for Energy Research in Clean Unconventional Tech Solutions (CERCUTS). He is involved in assisting with the operation of the OTSG test rigs which are conducting various types of applied research by testing actual steam assisted gravity drainage boiler feed water from various in-situ facilities. Norona is a recent graduate of SAIT’s Chemical Laboratory Technology program from the MacPhail School of Energy and, as a Career-Launcher Internships intern, he’s assisting in the rig process testing which contributes to significant environmental benefits in:

• water management – analyzing and assessing water quality to enhance water recycling and reduce fresh water consumption
• energy efficiency – conducting thermodynamic measurements to increase energy efficiency
• emission reduction efficiency – using modelling software to quantify reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, Norona is assisting in representative sampling and testing using chemical instrumentation such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) for elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectra with x-ray diffraction for the characterization of deposits and foulants in steam generation.

“The opportunity to work with the CERCUTS team and be part of SAIT’s long-range plan in energy efficiency and clean energy development is very exciting and timely right now. Along with my hands-on training in analytical instrumentation, I will be conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis using state-of-the–art equipment in the ARIS Water Research and Innovation lab. Being awarded this CICan Career-Launcher internship after graduation has given me an advantage that will provide a solid foundation for my career to excel and aspire to become a leader in this field.”

ARIS supports programs and leveraged funding initiatives which are important resources for industry and small- and medium-sized enterprises working to find tomorrow’s market solutions today. ARIS catalyzes innovation by fostering the engagement of new graduates, students and the next generation of professionals to solution-based applied research that can benefit the Canadian energy, economy, environment and society.