Emulsion Breaker/Reverse Emulsion Breaker (EB/REB) for Oil Sands Production

Heavy oil production by oil sands surface mining and/or steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) processes presents many challenges, but oil and water separation is among the most critical within the industry. The crude oil coming out of reservoir normally carries significant concentration of bitumen and other surface-active species (e.g., asphaltenes, naphthenic acid and even solid particles) which mediate at the oil and water interface to create very stable or tight emulsions in the form of water-in-oil or water-in-oil-in-water. In this project, commercial emulsion breakers/reverse emulsion breakers (EB/REB) will be evaluated based on their performance on emulsion separation, and structure/performance correlation will be developed. The research could provide scientific guidance for the partner company on developing high performance emulsion breaking products for oil sands production.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hongbo Zeng

Student:

Partner:

Nalco Champion ULC

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

University of Alberta

Program: