Surface modification of Petcoke Activated Carbon for Removal of Recalcitrant Naphthenic Acids from Oil Sands Process Effected Waters

The oil sands industry in Alberta, Canada, generates large amounts of wastewater, known as oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which contains high levels of toxic naphthenic acids (NAs). NAs, which can reach concentrations of up to 120 mg/L, are the main contributors to the water’s toxicity, posing significant risks to nearby ecosystems like the Athabasca River. This research seeks to develop a cost-effective remediation solution by using adsorbent activated carbon materials made from petroleum coke (petcoke), a waste by-product of oil sands extraction. While traditional petcoke-based activated carbon can absorb many contaminants, certain complex NAs are difficult to remove. The study aims to enhance these activated carbon adsorbents by chemically modifying them with amines, nitrogen-containing compounds that improve the capture of stubborn NAs. Various chemical methods will be explored to attach these amines to the carbon surface, and the modified materials will be tested to measure their effectiveness in removing NAs from OSPW. The goal is to create an affordable and scalable treatment process that can significantly reduce the environmental impact of OSPW, offering a sustainable solution to wastewater management in the oil sands industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrew Vreugdenhil

Student:

Partner:

Carbonix

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Trent University

Program: