28 January 2014
Total Research Centre Qatar (TRC-Q) has applied for a new patent in geochemistry, which was the second application made by Total in 2013.
For addressing the issue of shrinking an instrument down to the size of a big matchbox without altering its performances, TRC-Q recently invented the "Mini-Cube Gas Chromatograph". The process for miniaturising the equipment uses state-of-the-art advanced technologies for manufacturing the main parts of the new "Mini-Cube" instrument.
TRC-Q has a geochemical laboratory, which already works for Qatar Petroleum, Qatargas and Dolphin Energy. This lab can provide different analytical measurements. The most commonly used is the so-called "Gas Chromatography" method.
For instance, such a technique allows determining the accurate and detailed analytical composition of complex mixtures such as oils and condensates. The innovation allows the "Gas Chromatography" equipment to be miniaturised, without any performance alteration.
Conventional "Gas Chromatography" analysis is usually performed in sophisticated laboratories because chromatographs are fragile, bulky and not portable. Nevertheless, a main trend in the field of analytical measurements is the development of more portable instruments designed to perform analyses as close as possible to the sources of the organic compounds to be analysed. One of the biggest challenges of miniaturisation is to keep the same performances as bigger laboratory instruments.
"Mini-Cube Gas Chromatograph" can be used on site, and also in laboratories, for petroleum, medical, environmental and space applications. Initially developed for addressing petroleum issues (exploration, production, well integrity...), this new innovation could be applied to any complex mixture analysed by Gas Chromatography (eg fragrances, environmental applications, space measurements).
The inventor, Dr Daniel Dessort, is a project leader in organic geochemistry at TRC-Q. He recently applied for another patent related to an innovative method and software for automating the characterisation of complex fossil molecules in petroleum.
TRC-Q director Philippe Julien said: "This was the second TRC-Q application for a new patent in 2013.
There will also be others in 2014. We are currently developing very innovative technologies for the Oil and Gas industry. But these new techniques also present an interest for other industries, including the space industry. No doubt this very high level research contributes to a high visibility of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and the knowledge based economy, which is promoted in the Qatar National Vision 2030."
Total Research Centre Qatar (TRC-Q), located at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), works on three main projects -- carbonate petroleum reservoirs, metrology and petrochemicals.
In the carbonate reservoirs project, Total works on two main subjects: acid stimulation (used to increase the production of oil and gas wells) and geochemistry.
Total Research Centre Qatar (TRC-Q) has applied for a new patent in geochemistry, which was the second application made by Total in 2013.
For addressing the issue of shrinking an instrument down to the size of a big matchbox without altering its performances, TRC-Q recently invented the "Mini-Cube Gas Chromatograph". The process for miniaturising the equipment uses state-of-the-art advanced technologies for manufacturing the main parts of the new "Mini-Cube" instrument.
TRC-Q has a geochemical laboratory, which already works for Qatar Petroleum, Qatargas and Dolphin Energy. This lab can provide different analytical measurements. The most commonly used is the so-called "Gas Chromatography" method.
For instance, such a technique allows determining the accurate and detailed analytical composition of complex mixtures such as oils and condensates. The innovation allows the "Gas Chromatography" equipment to be miniaturised, without any performance alteration.
Conventional "Gas Chromatography" analysis is usually performed in sophisticated laboratories because chromatographs are fragile, bulky and not portable. Nevertheless, a main trend in the field of analytical measurements is the development of more portable instruments designed to perform analyses as close as possible to the sources of the organic compounds to be analysed. One of the biggest challenges of miniaturisation is to keep the same performances as bigger laboratory instruments.
"Mini-Cube Gas Chromatograph" can be used on site, and also in laboratories, for petroleum, medical, environmental and space applications. Initially developed for addressing petroleum issues (exploration, production, well integrity...), this new innovation could be applied to any complex mixture analysed by Gas Chromatography (eg fragrances, environmental applications, space measurements).
The inventor, Dr Daniel Dessort, is a project leader in organic geochemistry at TRC-Q. He recently applied for another patent related to an innovative method and software for automating the characterisation of complex fossil molecules in petroleum.
TRC-Q director Philippe Julien said: "This was the second TRC-Q application for a new patent in 2013.
There will also be others in 2014. We are currently developing very innovative technologies for the Oil and Gas industry. But these new techniques also present an interest for other industries, including the space industry. No doubt this very high level research contributes to a high visibility of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and the knowledge based economy, which is promoted in the Qatar National Vision 2030."
Total Research Centre Qatar (TRC-Q), located at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), works on three main projects -- carbonate petroleum reservoirs, metrology and petrochemicals.
In the carbonate reservoirs project, Total works on two main subjects: acid stimulation (used to increase the production of oil and gas wells) and geochemistry.
© Gulf Times 2014
