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

本研究的目标是开发一种新的热力学模型，用于模拟dilit -water-sand/clay浆料中的饱和蒸汽压力，其比例与NRU（石脑油回收装置）有关，并使用实际的Syncrude NRU进料样品。实验将使用Recat低压电池进行，该电池已由de Lasa教授的团队在CREC（化学反应堆工程中心）-UWO（西安大略大学）实验室进行了测试和实施。Recat低压电池可以量化蒸汽压力，以及确定适当的混合浆条件。在这方面，NSERC CRD和加拿大Syncrude联合赞助的拟议新研究将涉及进一步增强RecatLV电池。获得专利的CREC Optiprobes将用于气相取样以及液滴和颗粒尺寸的在线测量。预计该策略的使用将为确定高度分散的dilbit -water-sand/clay浆相和NRU进料的最佳混合条件和功率输入提供关键数据。此外，将为该试验单元开发计算流体动力学（CFD）模型。所提出的CFD模型将使用RecatLV Cell的数据进行验证。该模型还将使用相关流体动力学参数进行CFD模拟，如粘度、表面张力和砂团粒径。该CFD模型将提供Recat低压电池内混合模式的描述以及实现液汽平衡所需的最佳条件。这些确定的混合条件以及液汽热力学将为有效处理泡沫处理尾矿和微调其操作以最大限度地减少溶剂损失提供有价值的工程信息。

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.