Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Inorganic Scaling and Fouling Mitigation of Boiler Feed Water for Industrial OTSGs explores using special chemical formulations to mitigate scaling and fouling in once through steam generators (OTSG). Use of chemical additives have proven successful in reduction of scaling and fouling for conventional boilers and other water processing applications. However, such chemical formulations that have demonstrated the ability to inhibit scale formation elsewhere cannot be hypothesized to emanate similar positive effect in OTSG environment. Working in collaboration, the Centre for Energy Research and Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions (CERCUTS) at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and Pathways Alliance, six oil sands producers that represent ~90% of current oil sands production in Canada, will conduct pilot tests to identify innovative treatment chemicals with potential to improve the performance of OTSGs and mitigate operational issues for challenging boiler feed water compositions over a period of three years. CERCUTS OTSG Laboratory houses three pilot OTSG test rigs dedicated to research enhancing performance of OTSGs used in oil and gas operations and it is ideal to conduct pilot tests proposed in this project. The CERCUTS team brings together diverse expertise of process engineers, chemical research, and data scientists with vast experience in conducting pilot experiments on OTSGs on various aspects of its functionality to improve steam quality and operational efficacy. This project aims to assess the scaling and fouling potential of three challenging boiler feed water compositions, to evaluate the characteristics of scale formed during OTSG operation, to determine the effect of three different types of novel scale inhibitor formulations on OTSG performance, and to analyze the characteristics of scale formed in the boiler tubes. The project will provide insight on mechanisms of scaling and enable development of novel chemical formulations. The project team exploring a novel solution to boiler feed water issues unites expert academic researchers and industry professionals. Throughout the project CERCUTS and Pathways Alliance will mentor five recently graduated trainees and will support the professional development of early career researchers while in pursuit of reducing industry’s environmental impact by progressing to net zero and support achieving Canada’s climate goals.