Foundations of thermal bitumen conversion and fouling

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Thermal conversion of bitumen at over 500?C is a key platform of technology and science for Syncrude's long-term operations. A fundamental understanding of key aspects of this conversion is essential for improving existing operations and for considering longer term process changes and opportunities in bitumen conversion. The links between the mechanisms of cracking, the quality of the coker products, reactor conditions in terms of temperature and residence time, and reactor operability due to fouling of the reactor internals require further research. This project proposes three linked studies to lay the foundations for improved understanding of existing fluid coking operations, and to inform longer term technology development. Synthesis of model compounds will enable the definition of cracking and fouling mechanisms at a molecular level, and support the development of reaction kinetics that link conversion to product quality. Kinetic measurements will use an apparatus that is nearing completion at the University of Alberta, designed to give accurate vapour-phase kinetics over a wide range of temperatures. Kinetic measurements on bitumen fractions and model compounds will define the boundaries for desirable reactor performance. The third project, at the University of Saskatchewan, will investigate the hydrodynamics of reactor fouling, and combine the kinetic data and information on fouling mechanisms to develop predictive models. The first year of the project will give an initial suite of model compounds and define their coking and fouling behavior, measure kinetics under a limited set of conditions, and determine the most promising direction for laboratory and pilot-scale studies of reactor fouling. In the subsequent two years the program would grow to encompass cold-flow particle-liquid measurements to understand fouling processes and the development of a comprehensive kinetics-fouling model.