COLL 226 |
| Elaine N. Stasiuk1, Laurier L. Schramm1, Harvey Yarranton1, and Bill Shelfantook2. (1) Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada, (2) Research Department, Syncrude Canada Ltd, 9421 - 17 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6N 1H4, Canada |
| Bench-scale process tests show that, for Athabasca oil sands, the water-based conditioning/flotation process can be adjusted from 80 to 50°C without losing recovery efficiency, as measured by either standard batch extraction unit (BEU, low shear) or Denver cell extraction (high shear) techniques. Detailed processibility evaluations, together with trends in interfacial tension and surface charge confirmed this conclusion. For further temperature reduction to 25°C, various chemical process aids are needed to achieve good bitumen separation and flotation. These are needed, in part, to overcome a bitumen viscosity threshold when the BEU is used. In Denver cell processing, mechanical energy input provides an alternative means of overcoming the viscosity threshold and, when alkaline process aid was optimized, no further chemical additives were required for good oil recovery. Under optimized processing conditions, good oil recoveries could be obtained from either kind of extraction cell over the full temperature range from 25 through 80°C. Studies of the key interfacial properties are underway to identify key mechanisms to good oil recovery. |
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Posters: Fundamental Research in Surface and Colloid Chemistry
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Monday, March 29, 2004 Disneyland -- North Exhibit Hall, Poster
Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry |