Oil-Sands Produced Water Treatment by Electrocoagulation

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Several technologies are used in Canada whereby steam is injected into bitumen (oil-sands) reservoirs to reduce**bitumen viscosity and enable oil production. The oil is thus produced at high temperatures, mixed with about**three times the volume of water. Once the oil is separated, the water is treated, fed to the steam generators and**recycled to the wells. The produced water contains a complex mixture of inorganic and organic contaminants**that can foul the boilers and contaminants are typically removed by a combination of physical and chemical**treatment processes. Around 80% of the water is recycled as steam, the remaining 20% collected as a**concentrated 'blowdown', around of half of which can be recycled and the remaining part is disposed of. This**water treatment process has high capital and operating costs, and critically effects the environmental**performance including the amount of disposal water and the consumption of make up water. In the current**climate of low oil prices and increasing environmental regulation, new water treatment technology is needed to**reduce costs and enhance the environmental performance of oil sands production. Electrocoagulation is**effective for removal of silica and other contaminants, and there is significant potential for the application**electrocoagulation as a new solution for treatment of produced water or blowdown. However, the complex**chemistry in produced water systems can lead to operational and performance problems, and research is needed**to understand removal mechanisms and electrode fouling processes to tailor the technology for these**applications. Our industry partner is planning to apply electrocoagulation for the treatment of produced water.**The project will enable them to ensure that electrocoagulation is used as efficiently and effectively as possible.**This will reduce operating and capital costs and lead to a significant reduction in water use and disposal. The**project will involve investigation of the interaction of contaminants with the electrocoagulation process, as a**function of the operating conditions. State of the art instruments will be used to investigate the contaminant**removal mechanisms, to provide reliable performance data and recommend suitable operating conditions.