Remediation of Oil Sand Process Waters Using a Combined Chemical and Biological Approach

采用化学和生物相结合的方法修复油砂工艺水

• 批准号: 261376-2013
• 负责人: Nemati, Mehdi
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: University of Saskatchewan
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=547738
• 关键词: Remediation; Oil; Sand; Process; Waters

Production of bitumen and heavy oil from the Canadian oil sands is a major thrust in the national economy and is crucial for the global supply of energy. However, utilizing this valuable resource in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner is critical. Oil sands processing generates waters contaminated with toxic naphthenic acids (NAs). Environmental regulations require oil sands process waters (OSPW) be retained on-site until they undergo proper treatment. The current practice of storage in tailing ponds and reliance on natural physicochemical and biological processes to remove NAs is not sustainable. This research will develop an innovative approach in which a chemical pretreatment step is used to break down the complex NA molecules into smaller molecules more suitable for biodegradation. These simpler molecules are then converted to harmless compounds through biodegradation in properly designed bioreactors. Four short-term objectives are to: 1) investigate chemical oxidation of surrogate NAs (individual molecules of different structures) and NAs in OSPW; 2) evaluate bioremediation of untreated and chemically treated OSPW in laboratory- and pilot-scale circulating packed-bed bioreactors under aerobic conditions; 3) investigate anaerobic biodegradation of surrogate NAs under denitrifying conditions; and 4) evaluate anaerobic biodegradation of NAs in untreated and chemically treated OSPW. The long-term objective of this research is to use the generated knowledge to develop an innovative chemical-biological technology for remediation of OSPW and contribute to addressing this critical environmental challenge facing the Canadian oil sands industry. Application of the developed technology will contribute to a safer and cleaner environment for all Canadians. Moreover, benefits will not be limited to the oil sands industry as proper modifications could make the technology applicable to the remediation of other polluted waters. Training of highly qualified personnel as part of this research will build capacity in Canadian universities and industry in support of Canada's leading role in energy development and environmental sustainability.

从加拿大油砂中生产沥青和重油是国民经济的主要推动力，对全球能源供应至关重要。然而，以环境友好和可持续的方式利用这一宝贵资源至关重要。油砂加工产生被有毒环烷酸（NAs）污染的沃茨。环境法规要求油砂工艺沃茨（OSPW）保留在现场，直到它们经过适当的处理。目前在尾矿库中储存以及依赖自然物理化学和生物过程来去除NAs的做法是不可持续的。这项研究将开发一种创新的方法，其中使用化学预处理步骤将复杂的NA分子分解成更适合生物降解的小分子。然后，这些简单的分子在适当设计的生物反应器中通过生物降解转化为无害的化合物。四个短期目标是：1）研究替代NAs的化学氧化（2）在实验室和中试规模的循环填充床生物反应器中，在好氧条件下评估未经处理和化学处理的OSPW的生物修复; 3）研究替代NAs在厌氧条件下的厌氧生物降解;（4）评价未处理和化学处理OSPW中NAs的厌氧生物降解性。这项研究的长期目标是利用所产生的知识开发一种创新的化学生物技术，用于修复OSPW，并为解决加拿大油砂行业面临的这一关键环境挑战做出贡献。应用已开发的技术将有助于为所有加拿大人创造一个更安全和更清洁的环境。此外，好处将不仅限于油砂工业，因为适当的修改可以使该技术适用于其他污染沃茨的补救。作为这项研究的一部分，对高素质人员的培训将建设加拿大大学和工业界的能力，支持加拿大在能源开发和环境可持续性方面发挥主导作用。