Mixing and liquid-vapor equilibrium of dilbit-water-sand/clay slurries in the syncrude naphtha recovery unit

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The goal of the present study is to develop a new thermodynamic model for the simulation of the saturationvapour pressure in Dilbit-water-sand/clay slurries, in proportions relevant to the NRU (Naphtha Recovery Unit)and using actual Syncrude NRU Feed samples. Experiments will be developed using a Recat LV Cell, whichhas been tested and implemented by Prof. de Lasa's team at the CREC(Chemical Reactor Engineering Centre)-UWO (University of Western Ontario) laboratories. The Recat LV Cell allows the quantification of the vapourpressure, as well as the identification of adequate mixing slurry conditions. In this respect, the proposed newresearch under combined NSERC CRD and Syncrude Canada sponsorship will involve enhancing the RecatLV Cell further. The patented CREC Optiprobes will be used for gas phase sampling as well as onlinemeasurement of droplets and particle sizes. It is anticipated that the use of this strategy will provide criticaldata for the identification of best mixing conditions and power input, for highly dispersedDilbit-water-sand/clay slurry phases and NRU feeds. Furthermore, a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD)model will be developed for this test cell. The proposed CFD model will be validated using data from the RecatLV Cell. This model will also use relevant fluid dynamic parameters for CFD simulation such as viscosity,surface tension and sand agglomerate sizes. This CFD model will provide a description of mixing patterns inthe Recat LV Cell and the best conditions required for achieving liquid-vapour equilibrium. These identifiedmixing conditions, as well of liquid-vapour thermodynamics will provide Syncrude valuable engineeringinformation for the efficient processing of their Froth Treatment tailings and fine tune their operation forminimizing solvent loss.