HOME    |     ABOUT APEGGA    |     REGULATORY AFFAIRS    |     CONTACT US

Awards

Dr. Larry W. Kostiuk, P.Eng.

summit award® recipients


the environmental
excellence award

 

Dr. Larry W. Kostiuk, P.Eng.

 

This award recognizes excellence in the application of engineering, geological and geophysical methods towards preservation of the environment and the practice of sustainable development.

After graduating with his PhD from Cambridge University in 1991, Dr. Larry W. Kostiuk, P.Eng., joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. He is currently Chair of the department as well as an accomplished researcher. Since 1996, Dr. Kostiuk’s research has focused on mitigating the environmental impact of flaring by the upstream energy industry, in particular, the flaring of solution gas.

Alberta has approximately 3,000 solution gas sites that report flaring of nearly one billion cubic metres of gas annually. The number of flare sites and the volume of gas being flared make the process of solution gas flaring an environmental concern for the public, oil and gas producers and regulatory agencies. Worldwide estimates put the total amount of solution gas flared at 100 billion cubic metres per year.

Prior to Dr. Kostiuk’s work, industry received credible, but highly conflicting information on the environmental impacts of flaring. In addition, there was no guidance on how a flare could be designed or operated to ensure high combustion efficiency. Through detailed data collection and modelling, Dr. Kostiuk researched the relative importance of wind speed, heat value of the flare gas and stack exit velocity on flare performance. He developed a wind tunnel that was capable of testing sub-scale flares under very controlled conditions where the impact of the different variables could be assessed.  As the work matured, the predictive models were validated at full scale at the National Research Council’s test facility in Ottawa. 

Dr. Kostiuk’s work has resulted in a pragmatic approach to mitigating emissions now, while still allowing the energy industry to continue to operate effectively and work towards the elimination of flaring in the longer term. His peer-reviewed research has identified the parameters which affect flare combustion efficiency and associated emissions. Not only has his work provided the scientific basis for provincial regulations regarding the operation of flares in Alberta, but it has also influenced flaring regulations and practices in the international community.

Honours, Awards and Distinctions

  • McCalla Professorship, U of A (1999-2000)

  • NSERC Post-Doctoral Scholarship, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (1991-1993)

  • NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship, University of Cambridge (1987-1990)

  • Edmonton Churchill Scholarship, University of Cambridge (1987-1990)

  • Overseas Research Student Award, University of Cambridge (1987-1990)

Professional Affiliations and Activities

  • Member, Organizing Committee, 32nd International Symposium 2008, The Combustion Institute, Canadian Section (2005-present)

  • Executive Member, The Combustion Institute, Canadian Section (2004-present)

  • Reviewer, Journal of Fluid Mechanics (2002-present)

  • Reviewer, NSERC Research Grants Office (1998-present)

  • Reviewer, Combustion Science and Technology (1998-present)

  • Reviewer, Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering’s Transactions (1998-2001)

  • Member, APEGGA (1993-present)

  • Faculty Advisor, The Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers, Edmonton Section (1993-2001)

  • Member, The Combustion Institute (1987-present)