Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Alberta
$100,000.00
Characterization of emulsions and development of chemical solutions for emulsion treatment in SAGD operation
EF 2024-25
Résumé
In-situ extraction technologies, such as steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), are commonly employed for oil sands deposits deeper than 200 meters, which avoids the troublesome issue of tailings pond generation in surface mining. In the SAGD process, steam is injected into the reservoir via an injection well, effectively heating the surrounding area and enhancing the mobility of bitumen. This process results in the production of a complex emulsion comprising bitumen and condensed water, which is subsequently transported to separation vessels for oil-water separation. The separated oil is directed towards further processing, while the separated water undergoes recycling and is reused in bitumen production. However, current SAGD operations face significant challenges related to emulsion-related issues. The presence of highly stable emulsions can hinder the phase separation between water and oil, thereby reducing bitumen recovery rates and introducing difficulties in various stages, including pipeline transportation, upgrading, and refining processes.
The proposed project serves the following objectives: (1) systematically characterize emulsion samples sourced from diverse SAGD operations in collaboration with our industrial partners; (2) investigate the interfacial properties between bitumen and water under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, reveal the fundamental mechanisms governing the stabilization and destabilization of complex emulsions; (3) establish a meaningful correlation between reagent chemistry and the demulsification efficiency of both emulsion breakers and reverse emulsion breakers; and (4) develop more efficient chemical reagents tailored to the treatment of SAGD emulsions. This project endeavors to facilitate the development of effective chemical solutions that address the challenging emulsion issues commonly encountered in SAGD operations. The anticipated success of this endeavor holds the potential to bolster Canada's position as a leader in the sustainable development of natural resources and maintain the nation's prominence in technological innovation.
Programme
Alliance Grants
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Alberta, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
590553-2023
Name nom
Zeng, Hongbo H
Department département
Chemical and Materials Engineering
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2023
Award amount
100000
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
300
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use)
Area of application fr
Ressources d'énergie (production, exploration, traitement, distribution et utilisation de l'énergie)
Research subject code
2302
Research subject group en
Fuel and energy technology
Research subject group fr
Combustibles et technologie de l'énergie
Research subject en
Petroleum engineering, oil and gas recovery
Research subject fr
Génie du pétrole, récupération du pétrole et du gaz
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Characterization of emulsions and development of chemical solutions for emulsion treatment in SAGD operation
Keywords
bitumen; chemical engineering; colloid and interface science; emulsion; heavy oil; natural resources; oil production; oil sands engineering; petroleum engineering; surface interaction
Application summary
In-situ extraction technologies, such as steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), are commonly employed for oil sands deposits deeper than 200 meters, which avoids the troublesome issue of tailings pond generation in surface mining. In the SAGD process, steam is injected into the reservoir via an injection well, effectively heating the surrounding area and enhancing the mobility of bitumen. This process results in the production of a complex emulsion comprising bitumen and condensed water, which is subsequently transported to separation vessels for oil-water separation. The separated oil is directed towards further processing, while the separated water undergoes recycling and is reused in bitumen production. However, current SAGD operations face significant challenges related to emulsion-related issues. The presence of highly stable emulsions can hinder the phase separation between water and oil, thereby reducing bitumen recovery rates and introducing difficulties in various stages, including pipeline transportation, upgrading, and refining processes.
The proposed project serves the following objectives: (1) systematically characterize emulsion samples sourced from diverse SAGD operations in collaboration with our industrial partners; (2) investigate the interfacial properties between bitumen and water under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, reveal the fundamental mechanisms governing the stabilization and destabilization of complex emulsions; (3) establish a meaningful correlation between reagent chemistry and the demulsification efficiency of both emulsion breakers and reverse emulsion breakers; and (4) develop more efficient chemical reagents tailored to the treatment of SAGD emulsions. This project endeavors to facilitate the development of effective chemical solutions that address the challenging emulsion issues commonly encountered in SAGD operations. The anticipated success of this endeavor holds the potential to bolster Canada's position as a leader in the sustainable development of natural resources and maintain the nation's prominence in technological innovation.
