Envorem has employed many skilled personnel to implement our breakthrough green tech, Dashe Iluyemi is our latest appointment. A recent graduate, he brings fresh impetus to the company as a design engineer. Plus, his connections with Oman and the UK echo our strong bond with both countries. Envorem News chatted to him about his new position and passion for the environment!

Dashe Iluyemi was one of the team members on our stand at the Oman Sustainability Week in Muscat. However, he is no stranger to the Sultanate. Originally from Nigeria, his family have lived in Oman for years. Currently, Dashe is based in Exeter in the Southwest of England, where he was at uni for five years. He graduated in 2020 with an MEng in Mechanical in Engineering, then in 2021 with an MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering.

Envorem News: You studied renewable energy, why is GreenTech important to you?

Dashe: I think we can all agree that climate change is real. Whether we accept this or not, as humans we have played a role in accelerating the process. However, as an engineer, I believe we can provide a way out for ourselves. We have used technology to advance every aspect of life, so why not use it to build a brighter, greener future? And this is exactly what Envorem is doing, so I count it a privilege to work for the company.

One of the things I love about Oman is its natural beauty. The country is such a hidden gem and I discovered many of its nature reserves while growing up there. However, it is also an oil production powerhouse. I don’t say this to criticise the industry, but wherever oil is produced there is the risk of pollution and the possibility of sludge pits, which is saddening. I don’t think we should have to pick between oil and nature any longer. Both can co-exist today and innovative green technology can make this possible.

The human brain is amazing.  We can channel our thinking, not necessarily to fix what we did wrong in the past because that's a bit backwards but to be forward-looking so as to make sure it doesn't happen again. As long as we learn from the past, we are able to develop better methods. So, for me, GreenTech is essential because it enables us to reverse the adverse effects of human advancement.

EN: How is Envorem able to use science to solve environmental challenges facing the global community?

Dashe: I think our technology is one of a kind. Mark Batt-Rawden and the team have developed the greenest method of oily sludge remediation making it possible to return sludge pits or lagoons to a natural state. There are other oil remediation technologies out there, but none are as green as Envorem from what I have seen. Envorem has developed a processing method that doesn’t use chemicals, only water. It is a unique phenomenon that offers huge benefits to the earth and gives the company a major edge for the future.  Our oil remediation process dramatically reduces pollution while enabling us to get as close to net-zero carbon emissions as we can.

EN: So, how did you come to work at Envorem?

Dashe: I guess Mark saw potential in me as a young graduate with a new set of eyes to provide fresh insight. As a design engineer, it’s my job to research and model ideas around the prototype process he and the team have created and bring these into being. This means letting one’s imagination run wild at times to find the best ways of implementing optimal solutions. I'm very fortunate to be learning so much on all fronts.

EN:  So, Envorem developed a prototype to remove oil from sludge, preserving the oil for reuse while cleaning the residual solids. How is this possible using water only? And when will the prototype be fully operational?

Dashe: Yes, so our system works right now –  it’s a proven process based on a pilot study carried out in Oman in 2019, but we still have plenty of scope to optimise the systems. That’s what I am busy with, developing the smaller aspects, shall I say, that are still integral to the entire process. Whether it’s nozzles or feed systems, we are constantly innovating!

The system itself is based on the natural process of cavitation. The only reason I use the word ‘prototype’ to describe it, is that we're constantly making improvements. Obviously, Covid-19 held things up, but we are back on track, optimising the system and it’s pretty much good to go!

EN: Could you explain in simple terms, what cavitation is?

Dashe: Sure, I'll do my best. So, cavitation revolves around the concept of passing matter through water at very high speed. This vaporises water creating microscopic bubbles that explode and can be highly destructive. They are so powerful they can break metal apart and this has ruined the propellers of many ships. Envorem has harnessed this process in a more positive way, passing sludge through water at speeds that cause the cavitation bubbles to disintegrate the sludge; everything is broken up and reverts to its original state. This means oil is separated for reuse and solids are cleaned.

EN: Do Envorem’s potential clients buy the system or does the company oversee the process of oil remediation? Is it a massive machine?

Dashe: My understanding is that we would do it on their behalf. Our system is very niche and requires fully trained operators. The system fits into a couple of shipping containers. It's not that big compared to other systems of similar throughput that use thermal treatment rather than water. Those systems can be massive, more than five times the size of the Envorem sludge remediation system.

EN: This is transformational. To think you can now take a sludge lagoon and restore it to its natural environment.

Dashe: Yeah, precisely. And because the oil is not subjected to heat, we get it back. Heat causes oil to crack and essentially renders it useless. But the Envorem process allows oil waste to be reused. There are other benefits as well which you can read about here.

EN: That’s amazing. This must be good news for oil companies as well as the environment. What was the response like at the Oman Sustainability Week?

The exhibition in Muscat was a great experience and we made some good contacts. Of course, we are sensitive to the fact that the oil industry hasn’t had much choice in the past on how they can deal with pollution, so it is understandable that sludge is a problem today. I don’t think anyone should be apportioning blame for this, but rather saying, “here’s a way out!” It’s not a good guy / bad guy situation, but a way we can all move forward for the betterment of our world.

EN:  Excellent. Could Envorem's process be used by another industry?

Dashe: The company is also looking into how we can serve the maritime industry. We are seeing how our system can be integrated with ships to treat sludge the ships remove from their full. Apparently 80% of oil pollution from ships is caused by the illegal dumping of these sludges to sea.

 I'm not entirely sure, but I think the concept could be stretched to other industries. I think Envorem has struck gold by harnessing the power of cavitation and turning the destructive into the constructive. Perhaps in the future someone will design another way cavitation can be used for good!

EN:  Thank you Dashe. Lastly, tell us what it’s like to work for Envorem?

Dashe: It's honestly one of the greatest things to have happened to me. I spent two months in the office at Oman where I learned something new every day. It was good to learn the theory at Exeter University but learning in practice from such a knowledgeable team of engineers is amazing. Everyone's very experienced though understanding and patient knowing this is my first engineering job and I may not know so much. So I'm fortunate to be working with a company like this. And I’m sure the learning will never stop as the company continues to develop and accelerate the Envorem system.