Chemical engineering research makes an impact in Parliament

The Institute of Petroleum Engineering has been praised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) for its research that has had a positive impact on today's modern world. Along with projects from nine other universities, Heriot-Watt's case study was showcased at an event hosted by Baroness Brown of Cambridge, and IChemE's UK Research Committee, held in the Houses of Parliament in London.

The event welcomed over 100 specially invited guests from the academic and engineering community, as well as policy-makers, opinion-formers and Members of Parliament.

Professor Bahman Tohidi from the Institute of Petroleum Engineering, said, "Our researchers have developed technologies for oil and gas recovery that avoid serious operational and safety concerns while reducing the environmental impact. The research programme started as a Joint Industry Project with support from a number of oil and gas companies. Our device (HydraCHEK) has been deployed by a number of companies, saving £100s millions and generating extra revenue while reducing harmful chemical usage and disposal. Furthermore, the know-how developed has been commercialised, resulting in further savings for the industry as well as creating jobs and training opportunities.”

Baroness Brown of Cambridge, Professor Dame Julia King, said, “Engineers work across all sectors and disciplines, from finding energy solutions for climate change to producing lifesaving medicines. It is crucial that the engineering community communicates this effectively with Parliament to ensure engineering expertise and knowledge is used to make evidence based policy decisions. Research and its impact is a vital driver of the UK economy and engineering is essential to the success of the UK economy.”
 

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_{Dr Saeid Mazloum (PhD student on the project, now with Xodus Group in Aberdeen)
Dr Xiaoyun Li of Statoil Norway (JIP sponsor representative)
Dr Philippe Glenat of Total France (JIP sponsor representative)
Dr Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal, Enterprise and Business, Heriot-Watt
Prof. Bahman Tohidi, JIP Principal Investigator, Heriot-Watt
Dr Richard Chapman of BP UK (JIP sponsor representative)
Dr Zahidah MD Zain of Petronas Malaysia (PhD student on the project and JIP sponsor representative)
Dr Jinhai Yang, Co-PI, Heriot-Watt}