Dr. Daniel Eriksen, Shell: “As the easier problems have more or less been solved, we all turn our attention to the more difficult challenges where room for improvement exists.”
The process simulations group at Shell assists business units across the globe on both theoretical and practically deployable solutions to their everyday challenges.
“The CERE Discussion meeting is where I get a feeling for the overall status of the field of thermodynamic modelling and simulation,” says Thermodynamics Specialist in the group, Dr. Daniel Eriksen, continuing:
“I know how we see the field in Shell, but it is valuable to learn whether the rest of the world is on the same page. The scientists in CERE attend a number of conferences and can thereby filter a lot of information. They have a chance to pick up on trends that I maybe don’t see in my position which involves a lot of day-to-day support.”
Formerly a student in CERE, Daniel Eriksen has attended several versions of the Discussion meeting. As an industry representative he is here for the second time.
“I like the format, where the presentations provide a wide overview of the field. Obviously, this comes at the expense of not going deeply into the various subjects, but I don’t see that as a problem. I can get the in-depth discussions face to face.”
Among the topics, which Dr. Eriksen is keen to discuss in-depth this year are CO2 sequestration, and modelling of systems with ions, salts, and other complex systems:
“In general, I think it fair to say that the easier problems have more or less been solved. Therefore, we all turn our attention to the more difficult challenges where room for improvement exists.”
An example here is the electrolytes.
“As an energy company we encounter electrolytes in a wide number of places from oil wells over flow lines to refineries and in several downstream processes. While not the main challenge in any of these contexts, the electrolytes are always present and we currently lack good tools for modelling their behaviour,” notes Daniel Eriksen.