A gas chromatograph for the development of new green processes for upgrading oil sands bitumen and clean fuel production

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Canada has a large reserve of bitumen and heavy oil. Unfortunately, bitumen and heavy oils are low in hydrogen content and contain a high amount of S and N compounds. Therefore upgrading of heavy oil and bitumen require consumption of large amounts of hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced primarily from the steam reforming of natural gas which has increased in price significantly recently due to the short supply. We have found a novel way to produce hydrogen in situ for upgrading heavy oil and bitumen emulsions via the water gas shift reaction. To further develop the emulsion upgrading process, development of more active catalyst for the water gas shift reaction has to be carried out.  Such studies will involve carrying out the water gas shift reaction in a batch reactor and analyzing the gaseous products using a GC which is specially configured to measure CO, CO2, H2, H2S and light hydrocarbons also known as a refinery gas analyzer. Such a GC is necessary for our research. Without it no data on the activity of the catalyst and the kinetics and mechanisms of the water gas shift reaction in the bitumen and heavy oil emulsion can be determined. Therefore this equipment is absolutely essential for our research on the development of a new green process for heavy oil and bitumen upgrading. This equipment will also be used for my project on the production of clean fuel. These projects will contribute to the development of new green technologies to meet our energy demand and to protect our environment.  This research and the equipment requested will also provide training to highly skilled personnel who are in high demand for Canada's oilsands and energy industry.