Hugo Dignoes Ricart

Hugo Dignoes Ricart

Chemical Process Engineering Graduate Student

University of British Columbia

Biography

I am a masters student at the University of British Columbia. My thesis was on novel catalytic dehydrogenation processes for propylene production, and now I’m working on a transdisciplinary decarbonization project before I graduate in May 2024. I completed my BASc at UBC as well - they just can’t get rid of me! During my undergrad I majored in chemical process engineering and minored in analytical chemistry. In both cases I was particularly interested by systems modeling and the human side of engineering - both things that have heavily guide my research. In my free time I enjoy skiing, gardening, and taking on small projects, like building a chess bot or setting up small-scale vertical farms in my basement.

Winner of the APSC Design and Innovation Day Award for my capstone project on the design and simulation of a novel Sabatier process sponsored by FortisBC, former AICHE regional chapter executive, former ChemE Car team lead and UBC Envision safety officer. Current lead with UBC Agroponics.

Download my resumé.

Interests
  • Energy and Waste Recovery
  • Green Engineering
  • Catalysis
  • Computational Modelling
Education
  • MEng in Chemical Engineering, 2024

    The University of British Columbia

  • BASc in Chemical Engineering, 2021

    The University of British Columbia

  • IB Diploma, 2016

    International School of Geneva

Skills

aspen
Aspen Plus/HYSYS

Experience modelling, sizing, and optimizing processes using AspenTech software.

python
Python

Significant experience processing data and building models using functional Python. Some experience with objective coding in Python.

Languages

Native in English and Spanish, proficient in French and Catalan.

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
UBC - LEAP Lab
Mitacs Intern
Sep 2023 – Present Vancouver, BC

Holistically assessed various technologies for decarbonization of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.

Established the needs and desires of stakeholders through consultation and workshops, then designed performance metrics accordingly, creating a decisionmaking framework.

 
 
 
 
 
Freelance (contracted by Exaer Carbon)
Process Engineering Consultant
May 2023 – Aug 2023 Boulder, CO (remote)

Ran a feasibility analysis on a proposed process with the purpose of facilitating a patent application.

Simulated a catalytic process using open-source software and custom code.

Performed a sensitivity analysis to search for possible break-even conditions.

Produced a class 5 technoeconomic model, along with a levelized cost of production based on process evaluation.

 
 
 
 
 
UBC - Catalysis Lab
Student Researcher
Oct 2021 – Nov 2023 Vancouver, BC

A technoeconomic analysis of novel dehydrogenation catalysts and their associated processes.

Heavy simulation component using Python and Aspentech software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS, Adsorption, Energy Analyzer).

Modeling of reactor as well as upstream and downstream unit operations including separations and heat integration.

Sizing and costing of necessary equipment. Operating expenses also determined.

Economic evaluation of the processes based on the above.

 
 
 
 
 
Paper
Tutor
Aug 2020 – Jul 2021 Vancouver, BC

Helped schools across USA and Canada adapt to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing 24/7 support to students. Taught:

  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Math
  • Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
  • Spanish
  • French
 
 
 
 
 
DECAP Research & Development
Product Manager
May 2020 – Aug 2020 Vancouver, BC

Worked with a 3D printing company to make cheap PPE available at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Established stakeholder needs and developed quality of life and comfort improvements without sacrificing safety.

 
 
 
 
 
UBC Biofoundry
Research Assistant
Apr 2018 – May 2019 Vancouver, BC

Worked with a PhD candidate on measurement of mechanical properties of viscoelastic neural cells.

Designed and developed novel device to provide accurate measurements, reducing price by 80% compared to existing prototype while improving accuracy.

Worked without supervision, designing experimental procedures and collecting and analyzing data to validate the device.

 
 
 
 
 
UBC Envision
VP External
Jun 2018 – Oct 2018
Responsible for setting up conferences across the summer and in preparation for the upcoming academic year. Also acted as a liaison between our own AICHE chapter and our sister chapter in Barcelona.
 
 
 
 
 
UBC Envision
Safety Officer
Jun 2017 – Jun 2018

Was responsible for risk assessment and hazard mitigation for all Envision teams and projects.

Conducted safety inspections and routine audits of facilities (2 labs, 1 workshop, 1 work room).

Performed maintenance of equipment (various benchtop and power tools, 2 3D printers)

Handled disposal of chemical and material waste.

Handled restructuring of UBC ChemE Car into the umbrella organization UBC Envision. This required revision of all SOPs, and retraining of several members.

 
 
 
 
 
UBC ChemE Car
Electrical Team Lead
Sep 2016 – May 2017

Managed a team of 6 students in the design and building of a circuit for a small chemically-powered car.

Built and optimized a basic control system using an arduino microcontroller and series of MOSFETs, servos, and photoresistors.

Coordinated with two other teams to create an empirical model of car speed and iodine clock reaction based on initial conditions.

Accomplish­ments

UBC
Design and Innovation Day Award in Chemical Process Engineering
My capstone project (Group P9) was chosen by industry experts for its rigor and depth. I will be uploading a more in-depth discussion to my projects page, so check that out!
edX
Learn Ruby
Learned Ruby basics and some Object-Oriented Programming on Codecademy.
See certificate
UBC
Chemical & Biological Safety and WHMIS

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