Profile
| Keywords: | Oil Sands, Non-Aqueous Extraction, Bitumen Froth Treatment, Mineral Processing, Tailings Dewatering and Management |
FES Funded ProjectsOutputs
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| Innovative Process for Bitumen Froth Cleaning Using Hydrothermal Treatment Plus Hot FiltrationBitumen froth produced in mineral extraction contains about 60% bitumen, 30% water and 10% fine solids. This product requires further cleaning before the bitumen can be upgraded to crude oil or sold to market. Two technologies are currently used for cleaning bitumen froth, depending on the solvent used to dilute the bitumen froth and lower its viscosity. When naphtha distillate is used (naphthenic froth treatment (NFT)), the emulsion is only partly broken and significant amounts of solids and water remain even after using inclined-plate settlers and centrifuges. In this case, the resulting bitumen can still contain 2–5 wt% water and 0.5–1 wt% fine solids and cannot be transported by pipelines unless it is first processed by coking type upgrading plants.
When a poor solvent such as hexane is used (paraffinic froth treatment (PFT)), 4–10% of the bitumen fraction, mostly asphaltene, precipitates, flocculating and removing with it almost all water and fine solids. Both the froth cleaning processes require distillation to remove the large volumes of solvent from the bitumen product, and solvent recovery units to recover the residual solvents from the fine solids and water. Inefficiencies in solvent recovery are a major contribution to solvent losses into the tailings ponds.
Alternative technologies for froth cleaning are desirable if they can reduce the equipment cost, reduce energy consumption, and reduce environmental impact. The bi-wettable fine solids stabilize water-in-oil emulsions, which, in turn, makes solids and water removal from bitumen froth extremely difficult. Hence, any technology which can alter the surface properties of the fine solids may be a potential choice for froth cleaning. Hydrothermal treatment is direct thermal processing of bitumen froth at elevated temperature (up to 450 C) rather than the current approach of froth treatment followed by upgrading. After the hydrothermal treatment, the wide range of the surface properties of the initial fine solids particles with a high disparity of wettability was made uniformly hydrophobic. Filtration is a well-established method for solid-liquid separation. Although bitumen is viscous at room temperature, at the elevated temperatures that follow hydrothermal treatment its lowered viscosity may enable filtration. Filtration at high temperature offers many advantages, such as increased overall efficiency, improved product quality, recovery of thermal energy, and integration of filtration into the overall process.
Thus, we purposed, a combination of hydrothermal treatment, venting and filtration to clean the bitumen froth. Laboratory hydrothermal treatment was conducted at 300–420 C for 0–180 min at semi-large scale autoclave (5.5 Liter). The filterability of fine solids was quantitatively characterized by room-temperature filtration or hot filtration at 200 C. The results show that hydrothermal treatment followed by venting and filtration is an effective way to remove water and fine solids from bitumen froth: the water content was reduced from 19 wt% to 0.05 wt%, and the fine solids content was reduced from 6 wt% to 0.5 wt% by hot filtration at 200 C using a 0.5 lm pore size stainless steel filter medium.
The future plans are to optimize the temperature condition while reduce the fine solid content down to 0.03 wt% by using double/triple reused filtration. T08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-01-22 | | | Bitumen Froth Cleaning Using Hydrothermal Treatment Plus Hot FiltrationPresenting the latest results of hydrothermal treatment + hot filtration process for bitumen froth cleaning using a semi-large scale autoclave.
The results showed that this process can effectively reduce the water and sand contents without using any chemical solvents plus performing a semi-updating on the bitumen. The project successfully reduced the water content from 19 wt% to 0.03 wt%, similarly the fine sand from 6 wt% to 0.5 wt% by hot filtration at 200 of using a 0.5 lm pore size stainless steel filter medium.
The future plan is to reduce the fine solids contents in the final bitumen product down to 0.05 wt% by using double/triple reused filtration. During each filtration, the filter cake will increase and it can remove more fine solids.T08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-01-30 | | | Bitumen Froth Cleaning Using Hydrothermal Treatment Plus Hot FiltrationBitumen froth produced in mineral extraction contains about 60% bitumen, 30% water and 10% fine solids. This product requires further cleaning before the bitumen can be upgraded to crude oil or sold to market. Two technologies are currently used for cleaning bitumen froth, depending on the solvent used to dilute the bitumen froth and lower its viscosity. Both the froth cleaning processes require distillation to remove the large volumes of solvent from the bitumen product, and solvent recovery units to recover the residual solvents from the fine solids and water. Inefficiencies in solvent recovery are a major contribution to solvent losses into the tailings ponds.
Hence, any technology which can alter the surface properties of the fine solids may be a potential choice for froth cleaning. Hydrothermal treatment is direct thermal processing of bitumen froth at elevated temperature (up to 450 C) rather than the current approach of froth treatment followed by upgrading. Filtration at high temperature offers many advantages, such as increased overall efficiency, improved product quality, recovery of thermal energy, and integration of filtration into the overall process.
Thus, we purposed, a combination of hydrothermal treatment, venting and filtration to clean the bitumen froth. The results show that hydrothermal treatment followed by venting and filtration is an effective way to remove water and fine solids from bitumen froth: the water content was reduced from 19 wt% to 0.05 wt%, and the fine solids content was reduced from 6 wt% to 0.5 wt% by hot filtration at 200 C using a 0.5 lm pore size stainless steel filter medium.
The future plan is to reduce the fine solids contents in the final bitumen product down to 0.05 wt% by using double/triple reused filtration. During each filtration, the filter cake will increase and it can remove more fine solids. T08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-02-06 | | | In-Situ Hot Filtration of Bitumen Streams to Produce Dry and Solids-Free Bitumen ProductIn this study, a combination of hydrothermal treatment, venting and filtration was investigated to clean the bitumen froth. Laboratory hydrothermal treatment was conducted at 300–420 C for 0–180 min. The filterability of fine solids was quantitatively characterized by room-temperature filtration or hot filtration at 200 C.
The results show that hydrothermal treatment followed by venting and filtration is an effective way to remove water and fine solids from bitumen froth. The results showed that the water content was reduced from 19 wt% to 0.05 wt%, and the fine solids content was reduced from 6 wt% to 0.5 wt% by hot filtration at 200 C using a 0.5 lm pore size stainless steel filter medium.T08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-10-24 | | | Bitumen Froth Cleaning and Upgrading using Hydrothermal Treatment Plus Hot FiltrationPublication paper for impacts of hydrothermal treatment plus hot filtration on bitumen froth cleaning using a semi-large autoclave.
This paper discusses the positive influence of hydrothermal treatment and hot filtration to clean up bitumen froth without using any chemical solvents (e.g. n-heptane). Furthermore, this process performs partial upgrading on the bitumen as well. T08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-04-13 | | | Fine solids removal from NAE bitumen by surface functionalized magnetic particlesA poster was presented in the 2nd Annual FES Open House. The basic idea of using magnetic nanomaterials for fine solids removal from NAE bitumen product was presented.T08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2018-10-03 | | | Removal of hydrophobic bitumen-coated fine solids from bitumen using water droplets with amphiphilic chemicals during non-aqueous extraction of oil sandsT08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2018-10-03 | | | Understanding the Complex Interfacial Behaviors and Molecular Interaction Mechanisms of Asphaltenes at the Oil/Water/Solid InterfacesT08-P03 University of Alberta | Activity | 2018-10-16 | | | Asphaltene adsorption on sodium-citrate-modified magnetite nanoparticlesA presentation related to this project was given at the 69th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference. The topic of the presentation was 'Asphaltene adsorption on sodium-citrate-modified magnetite nanoparticles'.
During the presentation and the conference, the modification of magnetite nanoparticles and adsorption behavior of asphaltene or organic matters on nanoparticles were discussed. The application of modified magnetite nanoparticles in NAE bitumen fine solids removal was also discussed.
T08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-10-22 | | | Surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles for fine solids removal from non-aqueous extracted bitumenT08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-08-01 | | | Effects of low-temperature hydrothermal treatment on the properties and removal of fine solids from nonaqueous extraction (NAE) bitumenT08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-08-27 | | | Interfacial Behavior and Interaction Mechanism of Pentol/Water Interface Stabilized with AsphaltenesInterfacial Behavior and Interaction Mechanism of Pentol/Water Interface Stabilized with AsphaltenesT08-P02, T08-P03 University of Alberta | Publication | 2019-10-01 | | | High Molecular Weight Guar Gum Assisted Settling of Fine Solids in Diluted Bitumen: Effect of SolventsHigh Molecular Weight Guar Gum Assisted Settling of Fine Solids in Diluted Bitumen: Effect of SolventsT08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-12-15 | | | Destabilization of Bitumen-coated Fine Solids in Organic Media Induced by Water-assisted Biomolecule Flocculants Extracted from Guar BeansDestabilization of Bitumen-coated Fine Solids in Organic Media Induced by Water-assisted Biomolecule Flocculants Extracted from Guar BeansT08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-05-01 | | | Removal of hydrophobic bitumen-coated fine solids from NAE bitumen using water droplets with modified interfacial chemistry and bio-inspired polymersRemoval of hydrophobic bitumen-coated fine solids from NAE bitumen using water droplets with modified interfacial chemistry and bio-inspired polymersT08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-05-16 | | | Stabilization Mechanism and Chemical Demulsification of Water-in-Oil and Oil-in-Water Emulsions in Petroleum Industry: A ReviewT10-P04, T10-P04E University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-10-16 | "Duo Wang ", "Diling Yang ", "Charley Huang ", "Yueying Huang ", "Dingzheng Yang ", Zhang, H., Liu, Q., Tian Tang, Gamal El-Din, M., "Tom Kemppi ", "Basil Perdicakis ", Zeng, H. | | A Janus facilitated transport membrane with asymmetric surface wettability and dense/porous structure: enabling high stability and separation efficiencyA Janus facilitated transport membrane with asymmetric surface wettability and dense/porous structure: enabling high stability and separation efficiencyT08-P02, T07-C01 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-05-11 | "Duo Wang ", Fenglin Liu, "Xiaoyong Zhang ", "Meng Wu ", "Feifei Wang ", "Jifang Liu ", "Jianmei Wang ", Liu, Q., Zeng, H. | | Effect of charge density of reverse emulsion breaker on demulsification performance for steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) emulsions under high temperature and high pressureEffect of charge density of reverse emulsion breaker on demulsification performance for steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) emulsions under high temperature and high pressureT08-P02, T08-P03 University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-10-14 | "Duo Wang ", "Chenyu Qiao ", "Ziqian Zhao ", "Yueying Huang ", "Song Gao ", "Dingzheng Yang ", Liu, Q., Zeng, H. | | Techniques for treating slop oil in oil and gas industry: A short reviewTechniques for treating slop oil in oil and gas industry: A short reviewT08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-11-01 | "Duo Wang ", "Ziqian Zhao ", "Chenyu Qiao ", Wenshuai Yang, "Yueying Huang ", "Patrick McKay ", "Dingzheng Yang ", Liu, Q., Zeng, H. | | Bio-inspired, facile and scalable surface functionalization approach with small molecules for multitasking oil decontamination Bio-inspired, facile and scalable surface functionalization approach with small molecules for multitasking oil decontamination T08-P02, T08-P03 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-05-12 | Xiaohui Mao, "Ziqian Zhao ", "Diling Yang ", "Chenyu Qiao ", "Jinglin Tan ", Liu, Q., Tian Tang, Zhang, H., Zeng, H. | | Facile and scalable surface functionalization approach with small silane molecules for oil/water separation and demulsification of surfactant/asphaltenes-stabilized emulsionsFacile and scalable surface functionalization approach with small silane molecules for oil/water separation and demulsification of surfactant/asphaltenes-stabilized emulsions.
T08-P02, T08-P03, T07-C01 University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-03-15 | Xiaohui Mao, "Ziqian Zhao ", "Diling Yang ", "Chenyu Qiao ", "Jinglin Tan ", Liu, Q., Tian Tang, Zhang, H., Zeng, H. | | Surface Interaction Mechanisms in Mineral Flotation: Fundamentals, Measurements, and PerspectivesT08-P02, T08-P03, T07-C01 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-09-01 | | | Probing the interactions between Pickering emulsion droplets stabilized with pH-responsive nanoparticlesT08-P02, T08-P03, T07-C01 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-06-24 | | | High-efficiency and Durable Removal of Water-in-Heavy Oil Emulsions Enabled by Delignified and Carboxylated Basswood with Zwitterionic Nanohydrogel CoatingsT08-P02, T08-P03, T07-C01 University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-04-15 | "Tao Shui ", Mingfei Pan, "Yi Lu ", "Jiawen Zhang ", "Qingxia Liu ", "Petr A.Nikrityuk ", Tian Tang, Liu, Q., Zeng, H. | | Understanding the Properties of Bitumen Froth from Oil Sands Surface Mining and Treatment of Water-in-oil EmulsionsT08-P02, T08-P03 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-11-24 | "Duo Wang ", "Chenyu Qiao ", "Ziqian Zhao ", Wenshuai Yang, "Hongyun Chen ", "Taiheng Yin ", "Zhiling Yan ", "Meng Wu ", Xiaohui Mao, Camila Santander, Liu, Q., "Qingxia Liu ", Petr A Nikrityuk, Tian Tang, Zeng, H. | | Removal of hydrophobic bitumen-coated fine solids from NAE bitumen using guar gumT08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-06-09 | | | Probing the interactions between Pickering emulsion droplets with pH-responsive nanoparticlesT08-P02, T08-P03, T07-C01 University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-06-09 | | | Water-mediated adhesion of oil sands on solid surfaces at low temperatureT08-Q01 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-10-01 | Qimeng Yang, Jae Bem You, Boran Tian, Shaofeng Sun, Dan Daniel, Liu, Q., Zhang, X. | | Removal of fine solids from bitumen by hetero-aggregation and magnetic separation using surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles. Part I: Proof of concept.T08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-11-01 | | | Electrodeposition of bitumen-, asphaltene-, or maltene-coated kaolinite from cyclohexane suspensions.Migration of bitumen-coated kaolinite in cycohexane solution under external electric field
T08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-04-11 | | | Novel polymer nanoparticles with core-shell structure for breaking asphaltenes-stabilized W/O and O/W emulsionsT08-P02, T08-P03 University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-06-15 | | | The temperature dependence of the Hildebrand solubility parameter of selected hydrocarbon polymers and hydrocarbon solvents: a molecular dynamics investigation.T08-P01 University of Alberta | Publication | 2024-04-07 | | | Tunning water ionicity in water-assisted settling of bituminous fine solids. T08-P02 University of Alberta | Activity | 2023-10-31 | | | Evaluation of polyethylene hildebrand solubility parameter evolution with temperature.T08-P01 University of Alberta | Activity | 2023-10-31 | | | The solubility of non-polar polymers in cyclohexane: molecular dynamics estimation of the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter. T08-P01 University of Alberta | Activity | 2023-10-25 | | | Removal of fine solids from bitumen by hetero-aggregation and magnetic separation using surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles. Part II: role of surface modificationT08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-11-30 | | | Kaolinite surface charges developed in cyclohexane suspension with dissolved Span 80 or bitumen: Electrodeposition and adsorption/desorption studies. T08-P02 University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-08-10 | | | Probing the Surface Forces between Air Bubbles and Bitumen via Direct Force Measurements: Effects of Aqueous ChemistryT08-P02, T08-P03 University of Alberta | Publication | 2024-02-01 | "Diling Yang ", "Chenyu Qiao ", Xiaohui Mao, "Jingyi Wang ", Lei Xie, "Jingsi Chen ", "Qiongyao Peng ", Tao Wang, Liu, Q., Zhang, H., Zeng, H. | | Surface Interaction Mechanisms of Air Bubbles, Asphaltenes and Oil Drops in Aqueous Solutions with Implications for Interfacial Engineering ProcessesT08-P03 University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-10-01 | "Diling Yang ", "Ziqian Zhao ", "Lu Gong ", "Yongxiang Sun ", Xuwen Peng, "Qiongyao Peng ", Tao Wang, Liu, Q., Zhang, H., Zeng, H. |
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