Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Cape Breton University
$15,900.00
Solubility and viscosity characteristics of bitumen-diluents mixtures
FY 2009-10
Summary
My research proposal is focused on modeling the viscosities of bitumen and heavy oil mixed with diluents, and the effects of phase transformation (causing asphaltenes precipitation) during dilution on viscosity and subsequently on the accuracy of the viscosity models. Canada's in-place bitumen and heavy oil is estimated to be 3.2 trillion barrels of the world's 10 trillion barrels. The highly viscous nature of the bitumen and heavy oil means that their recovery has required sophisticated processes such as Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), Steam and Gas Push (SAGP), Cyclic Steam Simulation (CSS), and Vapor Extraction (VAPEX) process where blending with refinery distillate fractions, reservoir oils or condensates are used to overcome itheir low mobility. Viscosity is an important parameter in the recovery and transportation of petroleum. The reduction of bitumen viscosity by solvent dilution is arguably the most common method in the enhanced oil recovery process; however, the undesirable phenomenon of asphaltene precipitation from bitumen and heavy oil and its deposition within reservoirs, storage vessels, pipelines and valves has the potential to halt production. The objectives of the study are to: (a) examine the solubility characteristics of several diluents for reducing the viscosity of bitumen/heavy oils for the purpose of enhanced oil recovery, (b) evaluate the stability of the oil-diluent mixtures against phase transformations as pure mixtures and with additives at different temperature and pressure conditions and how they affect viscosity and (c) use the data obtained from these evaluations to develop a generalized and accurate viscosity model for the oil-diluents system at different temperature and pressure ranges. Viscosity model is an important component of the packages used in these processes. The significance of my research is, therefore, to develop accurate viscosity models for incorporation in simulation packages for in-situ oil recovery, pipeline transportation and transport properties of the oil in reservoir conditions, reducing the costs of production and processing of bitumen in Canada.
Program
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Recipient
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
228123-2009
Name nom
Miadonye, Adango
Department département
Science and Technology, School of
Organization id
84
Institution établissement
Cape Breton University
Province en
Nova Scotia
Province fr
Nouvelle-Écosse
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2009
Competition year année de concours
2009
Award amount
15900
Program id
RGPIN
Program nane en
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Program name fr
Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
4
Committee name en
Chem. & Metallurgical Eng.
Committee name fr
Génies chimique et métal.
Area of application code
301
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Oil, gas and coal
Area of application fr
Pétrole, gaz et charbon
Research subject code
1800
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Chemical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie chimique
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Solubility and viscosity characteristics of bitumen-diluents mixtures
Keyword
NA
Application summary
My research proposal is focused on modeling the viscosities of bitumen and heavy oil mixed with diluents, and the effects of phase transformation (causing asphaltenes precipitation) during dilution on viscosity and subsequently on the accuracy of the viscosity models. Canada's in-place bitumen and heavy oil is estimated to be 3.2 trillion barrels of the world's 10 trillion barrels. The highly viscous nature of the bitumen and heavy oil means that their recovery has required sophisticated processes such as Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), Steam and Gas Push (SAGP), Cyclic Steam Simulation (CSS), and Vapor Extraction (VAPEX) process where blending with refinery distillate fractions, reservoir oils or condensates are used to overcome itheir low mobility. Viscosity is an important parameter in the recovery and transportation of petroleum. The reduction of bitumen viscosity by solvent dilution is arguably the most common method in the enhanced oil recovery process; however, the undesirable phenomenon of asphaltene precipitation from bitumen and heavy oil and its deposition within reservoirs, storage vessels, pipelines and valves has the potential to halt production. The objectives of the study are to: (a) examine the solubility characteristics of several diluents for reducing the viscosity of bitumen/heavy oils for the purpose of enhanced oil recovery, (b) evaluate the stability of the oil-diluent mixtures against phase transformations as pure mixtures and with additives at different temperature and pressure conditions and how they affect viscosity and (c) use the data obtained from these evaluations to develop a generalized and accurate viscosity model for the oil-diluents system at different temperature and pressure ranges. Viscosity model is an important component of the packages used in these processes. The significance of my research is, therefore, to develop accurate viscosity models for incorporation in simulation packages for in-situ oil recovery, pipeline transportation and transport properties of the oil in reservoir conditions, reducing the costs of production and processing of bitumen in Canada.
