Heavy gas oil (HGO) obtained from Athabasca bitumen is very difficult to hydrotreat due to high sulfur and nitrogen content. It is proposed that removal of non-basic nitrogen species from HGO prior to hydrotreating will strongly enhance desulfurization process and improve the length of catalytic cycle.

Syncrude Canada is one of the largest producer of synthetic crude oil for oilsands in the world, and the largest producer in Canada. Syncrude Canada uses the fluid coking process to upgrade bitumen. During the fluid coking process, coke is continuously transferred to the burner where air is used to burn some of the coke and raise the temperature of the particles, which are then returned to the reactor to supply the heat of reaction. To achieve optimum reactor performance, the particle size distribution of the coke must be maintained in a specific range.

Mining products are frequently transported as slurries, which causes considerable wear within pipes. Large rubber mining hoses were found to have excellent wear properties. However, these hoses are still subject to wear, and wear monitoring is thus required. Unfortunately, systems currently available for this purpose have shortcomings. An improved rubber hose design with wear monitoring system is thus sought to increase inspection intervals, reduce cost and improve safety. A novel approach to wear monitoring is the focus of this project.