UO
University of Alberta
Steam quality read in real time on a SAGD production well.
LicensingIn-development
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Updated Nov 2, 2026
Fossil fuel optimization covers getting more out of a hydrocarbon process, and seeing inside it. On Halo, the solutions cover measuring inside a hostile process, refining catalysis and upgrading, and waste plastic into a petroleum product. Sign up to search the full network and post your specific need.
Measuring inside a hostile process
UO
UO
University of Alberta
Multivariable microwave sensors that hold up in oil sand conditions.
LicensingIn-development
Scott Sanders
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Laser absorption reading oxygen through SO2, SO3 and particulate.
In-development
PK
University of Pittsburgh
Stand-off Raman reading oxygen concentration in a hot gas stream.
In-development
Refining catalysis and upgrading
UO
University of Pretoria
Upgrades high-ash coal dry, separating mineral matter by particle size, density and airflow with no wet circuit.
In-development
EO
Independent Research Consultant · Startup
A drop-in mixed-oxide catalyst support for desulfurization with no octane loss.
Co-developmentIn-development
JY
Northwestern University
Electrochemical hydrogenation upgrading an oil, and skipping the usual inputs.
Early-stage
Recovery, heat and surfaces
UO
University of Alberta
A viscoelastic model for enhanced oil recovery and reservoir simulation.
LicensingIn-development
MA
intemic · Startup
Heat integration recalculated in real time as the cascade shifts.
In-development
Alireza Nouri
Circulates water through retired SAGD injector wells to carry residual reservoir heat into power generation.
Sponsored researchIn-development
Waste plastic into a petroleum product
Pavel Kots
Plastic waste converted into high-performance lubricant base stock.
In-development
Kang Kang
Co-pyrolysis of plastic and biomass producing BTX aromatics.
Early-stage
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Who is working on fossil fuel optimization
Organizations in fossil fuel optimization
Universities, startups, and suppliers with solutions in fossil fuel optimization.
Fossil fuel optimization organizations
Innovators in fossil fuel optimization
Researchers and inventors advancing fossil fuel optimization.
Fossil fuel optimization expertsAbout fossil fuel optimization
Measurement in places instruments do not survive is the largest theme on Halo: steam quality in a SAGD well, microwave sensing in oil sand, laser spectroscopy through particulate-laden flue gas. Beside it sit refining catalysts, and two entries turning waste plastic back into a petroleum product. On Halo it spans three groups: measuring inside a hostile process, refining catalysis and upgrading, and waste plastic into a petroleum product.
Stage of development. Work on fossil fuel optimization on Halo comes mostly from university programs. 52% of the solutions are in market. Co-development and licensing are the usual partnering routes, and about 29% of the solutions that state terms offer fee-for-service work.
Three trends in fossil fuel optimization on Halo
Instruments where instruments fail. Five entries measure in conditions that destroy conventional sensing: steam quality inside a SAGD well, microwave sensors in oil sand at temperature, laser absorption reading oxygen through SO2, SO3 and particulate, stand-off Raman in a hot gas stream, and a robot that goes where a person cannot. The process is understood; what is missing is the reading.
The feedstock is starting to be plastic. Two entries make a petroleum product out of waste plastic: lubricant base stock from plastic waste, and BTX aromatics from co-pyrolysis of plastic with biomass. They sit on a fossil fuel page because the product is the same one a refinery makes, which is exactly the argument they are making to a refiner.
Catalysis that replaces a unit operation. Four entries change a refining step by changing its chemistry. A drop-in mixed-oxide catalyst support desulfurizes with no octane loss, electrochemical hydrogenation upgrades an oil while skipping the usual inputs, nanobubbles raise the efficiency of a bleaching step, and fluorinated membranes dewater sulfuric acid past its azeotropic limit. Each one substitutes for a unit operation already in the plant.
237organizations
261solutions listed
65%from university labs
52%in market
Frequently asked questions
What is fossil fuel optimization?
Fossil fuel optimization covers getting more out of a hydrocarbon process and seeing inside it while it runs. It spans measurement in hot and hostile streams, refining catalysis and upgrading, recovery modeling and heat integration, and routes that turn waste plastic into a petroleum product. Oil and gas operators, refiners and their service companies are the buyers.
What are examples of fossil fuel optimization?
Four examples of fossil fuel optimization solutions on Halo include:
- Steam quality read in real time on a SAGD production well. (University of Alberta)
- A drop-in mixed-oxide catalyst support for desulfurization with no octane loss. (Independent Research Consultant)
- A viscoelastic model for enhanced oil recovery and reservoir simulation. (University of Alberta)
- Plastic waste converted into high-performance lubricant base stock. (New York University)
What are the latest fossil fuel optimization innovations?
The most recently updated fossil fuel optimization solutions on Halo include:
- Upgrades high-ash coal dry, separating mineral matter by particle size, density and airflow with no wet circuit. (University of Pretoria)
- Thermolysis turning non-recyclable plastics into a certified circular feedstock for petrochemical production. (Syntherra)
- A drop-in mixed-oxide catalyst support for desulfurization with no octane loss. (Independent Research Consultant)
Which companies and suppliers are developing fossil fuel optimization?
There are 237 organizations with fossil fuel optimization solutions on Halo, 42 of them universities and research institutions. Among them are University of Alberta, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and University of Pittsburgh. Most offer co-development or licensing. Sign up to see every organization working in the area and to send them your specific need.
How do I find fossil fuel optimization research partners?
Browsing fossil fuel optimization solutions on Halo is free. Sign up to search the full network and save the ones you want. Post your specific need to get exact matches. Organizations reply directly on the platform.
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