| 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. University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-04-13 | Shahrad Booran, Qiang Chen, "Igor Stricek", Tan, X., Liu, Q. |
| Surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles for fine solids removal from non-aqueous extracted bitumen University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-08-01 | Xuyang Liu, Tan, X., Liu, Q. |
| Engineering Research Award University of Alberta | Award | 2018-05-10 | Zeng, H. |
| Engineering Undergraduate Teaching Award University of Alberta | Award | 2018-05-10 | Zeng, H. |
| EWR Steacie Memorial FellowshipNSERC E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship University of Alberta | Award | 2019-05-01 | Zeng, H. |
| Great Supervisor Award University of Alberta | Award | 2019-02-14 | Zeng, H. |
| Hatch Innovation Award University of Alberta | Award | 2018-10-23 | Zeng, H. |
| International Award for Outstanding Young Chemical EngineerInternational Award for Outstanding Young Chemical Engineer University of Alberta | Award | 2019-08-05 | Zeng, H. |
| Killam Annual Professorship University of Alberta | Award | 2021-07-01 | Zeng, H. |
| 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.
University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-10-22 | Xuyang Liu, "Kaipeng Wang", Tan, X., Liu, Q. |
| 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. University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-01-30 | Qiang Chen, Shahrad Booran, Tan, X., "Igor Stricek", Liu, Q. |
| 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. University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-02-06 | Qiang Chen, Shahrad Booran, Tan, X., "Igor Stricek", Liu, Q. |
| 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 Beans University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-05-01 | Camila Santander, Liu, J., Tan, X., Liu, Q., Zeng, H. |
| Effects of low-temperature hydrothermal treatment on the properties and removal of fine solids from nonaqueous extraction (NAE) bitumen University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-08-27 | Menatalla Ahmed, Qiang Chen, Tan, X., Liu, Q. |
| 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. University of Alberta | Activity | 2018-10-03 | Liu, Q., Tan, X., Xuyang Liu |
| Hydrophobic Interactions in Water and Hydrophilic Interaction in Oil of Polymers, Emulsions and BubblesHydrophobic Interactions in Water and Hydrophilic Interaction in Oil of Polymers, Emulsions and Bubbles University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-05-09 | Zeng, H. |
| Hydrophobic Interactions in Water and “Hydrophilic” Interaction in Oil of Polymers, Minerals, Emulsions and Bubbles University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-08-01 | Zeng, H. |
| Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Interactions and Surface WettabilityHydrophobic/Hydrophilic Interactions and Surface Wettability University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-10-25 | Zeng, H. |
| Hydrothermal treatment of bitumen froth diluted with kerosenePoster presentation to the FES Digital Research Showcase. University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-11-23 | Joao Felipe Pereira Bassane, De Klerk, A. |
| 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. University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-10-24 | Qiang Chen, Shahrad Booran, Tan, X., "Igor Stricek", Liu, Q. |
| 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. University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-01-22 | Qiang Chen, Shahrad Booran, Tan, X., "Igor Stricek", Liu, Q. |
| Interactions of Emulsion Drops and Gas Bubbles in Complex Fluids: Hydrophobic Interaction in Water and Hydrophilic Interaction in OilInteractions of Emulsion Drops and Gas Bubbles in Complex Fluids: Hydrophobic Interaction in Water and Hydrophilic Interaction in Oil University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-06-17 | Zeng, H. |
| Intermolecular and Interfacial Interactions in Engineering Processes: Emulsions in Oil Production as An ExampleIntermolecular and Interfacial Interactions in Engineering Processes: Emulsions in Oil Production as An Example University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-05-11 | Zeng, H. |
| Intermolecular and Surface Interactions at Solid/Oil/Water/Gas Interfaces in Oil ProductionIntermolecular and Surface Interactions at Solid/Oil/Water/Gas Interfaces in Oil Production University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-11-18 | Zeng, H. |
| Partial Upgrading During Froth Treatment: A Possible Dream?Poster presentation to the FES Research to Real World - Industrial Mixer University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-02-20 | De Klerk, A., Joao Felipe Pereira Bassane, Natalia Montoya Sanchez |
| Potential for Partial Upgrading by Thermal Treatment of Bitumen FrothOral presentation to the ACS Spring 2021 conference. University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-04-07 | Joao Felipe Pereira Bassane, De Klerk, A. |
| Probing the interactions between Pickering emulsion droplets with pH-responsive nanoparticles University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-06-09 | Xiaohui Mao, Tang, T., Liu, Q., Zeng, H. |
| Probing the Interactions of Emulsions, Bubbles and Fine Solids in Complex Fluids and Confined Space University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-08-16 | Zeng, H. |
| Recent Advances in Hydrophobic Interactions and Surface WettabilityRecent Advances in Hydrophobic Interactions and Surface Wettability University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-01-13 | Zeng, H. |
| Removal of hydrophobic bitumen-coated fine solids from bitumen using water droplets with amphiphilic chemicals during non-aqueous extraction of oil sands University of Alberta | Activity | 2018-10-03 | Liu, J., Camila Santander, Tan, X., Liu, Q., Zeng, H. |
| Removal of hydrophobic bitumen-coated fine solids from NAE bitumen using guar gum University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-06-09 | Camila Santander, Tan, X., Liu, Q., Zeng, H. |
| Stability of Colloidal Solids in Non-Aqueous MediaPresentation by Juan Darius (MSc student) at the 2019 CSChE Conference in Halifax University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-10-20 | Juan Darius, Yeung, T. |
| Removing Fine Solids from Oil through Water-assisted Flocculation using Biomolecules Extracted from Guar BeansRemoving Fine Solids from Oil through Water-assisted Flocculation using Biomolecules Extracted from Guar Beans | Publication | 2020-08-25 | Camila Santander |
| 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 polymers University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-05-16 | Jing Liu, Tan, X., Liu, Q., 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 efficiency 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. |
| 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 University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-05-12 | Xiaohui Mao, "Ziqian Zhao", "Diling Yang", "Chenyu Qiao", "Jinglin Tan", Liu, Q., Tang, T., Zhang, H., 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 pressure University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-10-14 | "Duo Wang", "Chenyu Qiao", "Ziqian Zhao", "Yueying Huang", "Song Gao", "Dingzheng Yang", Liu, Q., Zeng, H. |
| Electrochemical investigation of the interactions of organic and inorganic depressants on basal and edge planes of molybdenite University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-06-01 | Jingyi Wang, Lei Xie, Qingye Lu, Xiaogang Wang, Jianmei Wang, Zeng, H. |
| Facile and scalable surface functionalization approach with small silane molecules for oil/water separation and demulsification of surfactant/asphaltenes-stabilized emulsions University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-03-15 | Xiaohui Mao, "Ziqian Zhao", "Diling Yang", "Chenyu Qiao", "Jinglin Tan", Liu, Q., Tang, T., Zhang, H., Zeng, H. |
| 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 Solvents University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-12-15 | Camila Santander, Tan, X., Liu, Q., Zeng, H. |
| High-efficiency and Durable Removal of Water-in-Heavy Oil Emulsions Enabled by Delignified and Carboxylated Basswood with Zwitterionic Nanohydrogel Coatings University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-04-15 | "Tao Shui", Mingfei Pan, "Yi Lu", "Jiawen Zhang", "Qingxia Liu", "Petr A.Nikrityuk", Tang, T., Liu, Q., Zeng, H. |
| Interfacial Behavior and Interaction Mechanism of Pentol/Water Interface Stabilized with AsphaltenesInterfacial Behavior and Interaction Mechanism of Pentol/Water Interface Stabilized with Asphaltenes University of Alberta | Publication | 2019-10-01 | Lei Xie, "Qiuyi Lu", Tan, X., Liu, Q., Tang, T., Zeng, H. |
| Intermolecular and Surface Forces at Solid/Oil/Water/Gas Interfaces in Petroleum Production University of Alberta | Publication | 2019-03-01 | "Ling Zhang", Lei Xie, Xinwei Cui, "Jingsi Chen", Zeng, H. |
| Intermolecular and Surface Interactions in Engineering ProcessesIntermolecular and Surface Interactions in Engineering Processes University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-01-01 | "Jiawen Zhang", Zeng, H. |
| Probing the Interaction Mechanism between Oil Droplets with Asphaltenes and Solid Surfaces Using AFMProbing the Interaction Mechanism between Oil Droplets with Asphaltenes and Solid Surfaces Using AFM University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-01-12 | "Chen Shi", Lei Xie, "Ling Zhang", "Xi Lu", Zeng, H. |
| Probing the interactions between Pickering emulsion droplets stabilized with pH-responsive nanoparticles University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-06-24 | Xiaohui Mao, "Diling Yang", Lei Xie, Liu, Q., Tang, T., Zhang, H., Zeng, H. |
| Recent Advances in Bubble-based Technologies: Underlying Interaction Mechanisms and ApplicationsRecent Advances in Bubble-based Technologies: Underlying Interaction Mechanisms and Applications University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-03-03 | "Chenyu Qiao", "Diling Yang", Xiaohui Mao, Lei Xie, "Lu Gong", Xuwen Peng, Tao Wang, Zhang, H., Zeng, H. |
| Recent Advances in the Quantification and Modulation of Hydrophobic Interactions for Interfacial ApplicationsRecent Advances in the Quantification and Modulation of Hydrophobic Interactions for Interfacial Applications University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-02-05 | Lei Xie, "Xin Cui", "Lu Gong", "Jingsi Chen", Zeng, H. |
| Role of Molecular Architecture in the Modulation of Hydrophobic InteractionsRole of Molecular Architecture in the Modulation of Hydrophobic Interactions University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-01-03 | Lei Xie, "Diling Yang", "Qiuyi Lu", Zhang, H., Zeng, H. |
| Surface Interaction Mechanisms in Mineral Flotation: Fundamentals, Measurements, and Perspectives University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-09-01 | Lei Xie, "JIngyi Wang", Liu, Q., Zhang, H., 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 review 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. |
| Understanding the Properties of Bitumen Froth from Oil Sands Surface Mining and Treatment of Water-in-oil Emulsions 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, Tang, T., Zeng, H. |
| Viscosity Mixing Rules for Bitumen at 1-10 wt % Solvent Dilution When Only Viscosity and Density Are Known University of Alberta | Publication | 2020-06-01 | Natalia Montoya Sanchez, De Klerk, A. |
