From Copacabana to Carbon Capture
Now spring has finally come to Norway, we thought it was the right time to offer you a southern flavor from Fornebu. We sat down with Ricardo Wanderley, a Brazilian Technology Expert at Aker Carbon Capture, to discuss his professional journey and personal experiences in the field of carbon capture. Ricardo’s unique perspective sheds light on the challenges, excitement, and future prospects of working on this critical instrument to mitigate climate change.
Tell us Ricardo, who is the man behind the black hoodie and the beanie?
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1990. My professional journey began with internships in the local thermodynamics lab at my university and at the state-owned power company, Eletrobrás. However, it was my move to Norway in 2016 that marked a significant turning point in my career. I embarked on a Ph.D. candidacy at NTNU in Trondheim, where I delved into solvent development for carbon capture applications. After graduating in 2020, I started at Aker Carbon Capture. You could say that this is my first real job (smiles).
My personal interests have always been diverse. I like music, with a preference for the noisier stuff. I play the guitar and upload some songs to Bandcamp when I feel like it. I read a lot and have been trying to write some fiction writing lately. I like hiking when it’s sunny, and I like having a pint of some sugary stout at Henry & Sally’s when it’s nighttime.
Double Whopper
Ricardo’s interest in carbon capture was deliberate. He believed that chemical engineering could be more meaningful if it served a greater purpose. Beyond the environmental focus, he found carbon capture to be a fascinating field, combining the interplay between fluid mechanics, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and organic chemistry. “Carbon capture is like a ‘Double Whopper’: it offers a diversity of ingredients on top of each other. As a chemical engineer, I was eager to take a big bite from it. There’s a bit of everything for those who are interested in particular aspects of chemical engineering sciences”.
How did your journey at Aker Carbon Capture start?
– First, I got connected with the Aker family through various R&D projects, including the Norwegian CCS Research Centre (NCCS). My group at NTNU had already collaborated with Aker, and after defending my Ph.D., I received a direct recommendation from one of my counterparts to apply for a position at Aker Carbon Capture.
As a ‘Subject Matter Expert’ at ACC, Ricardo wears multiple hats. “My primary focus is on solvent-related activities, but I’m also deeply involved in Mobile Test Unit campaigns, R&D projects, and interfacing with various teams. From following up on ongoing campaigns to supervising solvent testing, my days are definitely dynamic and diverse”.
What are the biggest challenges you face?
“Juggling a wide diversity of tasks can be challenging. Reading a technical paper after a morning of plant site visits isn’t always straightforward. However, I thrive on the variety and the chance to engage with different aspects of carbon capture. Also, the importance of addressing knowledge gaps is of utmost importance to further improve the technology while respecting proprietary information”.
The interface with operations excites Ricardo. It provides a unique perspective on the carbon capture business—one he wouldn’t have gained conventionally. As a solvent specialist, he appreciates the critical role solvents play in the efficiency of the carbon capture process.
How would you describe your colleagues at Aker Carbon Capture?
“I simply love their kindness and dedication. Despite challenges, they persevere, driven by a shared goal: to see carbon capture take off successfully. Their commitment, even in the face of adversity, is both admirable and beautiful”.
After an interesting conversation, Ricardo leaves us with a haiku to ponder:
Deep autumn; My neighbor, How does he live?
Ricardo encourages us to wonder about our neighbors’ lives—a simple act of humane curiosity that connects us all. The need for connectivity brings us to ‘working together’, one of the key values of at Aker Carbon Capture. As we strive for a greener future, it’s individuals like Ricardo working together with other talented chemical engineers who make a difference, one solvent molecule at a time.
Embla
