Effect of operating temperature on water-based oil sands processing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-19-2008
Department
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Operating temperature is one of the most important controlling parameters in oil sands processing. Considering the massive energy consumption and green house gas emission, lowering the processing temperature is highly desirable. To achieve such an ambitious goal requires a comprehensive understanding on the role of temperature in oil sands processing. This paper provides an overview of major findings from existing studies related to oil sands processing temperature. The relation between temperature and bitumen recovery is discussed. The effect of temperature on the physiochemical properties of oil sand components, such as bitumen viscosity, bitumen surface tension and surface potentials of bitumen and solids, is analyzed. The interactions between bitumen and solids and between bitumen and gas bubbles as a function of temperature are recounted. Also discussed is the role of chemical additives in oil sand processing. It has been found that temperature affects nearly all properties of oil sands among which bitumen viscosity and bitumen‐solids adhesion impose a prominent impact on bitumen recovery. The use of selected chemical additives can reduce bitumen viscosity and/or the bitumen‐solids adhesion, and thus provide a possible way to process oil sands at a low temperature while maintaining a high bitumen recovery.
Publication Title
The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering
Recommended Citation
Long, J.,
Drelich, J. W.,
Xu, Z.,
&
Masliyah, J. H.
(2008).
Effect of operating temperature on water-based oil sands processing.
The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering,
85(5), 726-738.
http://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.5450850518
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/23
Publisher's Statement
© 2007 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering. Publisher's version of record: https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.5450850518