NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Control of Oil Sands Processes

虽然油砂开发的经济效益是显而易见的，但这种宝贵的加拿大资源的可持续发展要求将石油开采成本和对环境的影响降到最低。在过去的十年中，由于全球需求的增加，油砂行业经历了前所未有的发展，同时生产成本也大幅增加。市场现实要求对油砂进行战略性开发，并要求降低运营成本。然而，寻找可持续油砂开发的解决方案（例如水的使用、温室气体的排放、尾矿）的重点是组成油砂作业的过程。我们建议采取一种不同的方法，关注控制这些过程的系统。过程控制系统至关重要，因为它们可以实现稳定和安全的过程操作、高效的生产、一致的产品质量、更少的浪费和更好的排放控制。在油砂行业实现更好的过程控制不是简单地从其他行业引进技术的问题。油砂行业的控制系统面临着独特的挑战。nserc油砂过程控制行业研究主席的新职位旨在开发解决方案，除了支持和改进现有的行业解决方案外，还将带来创新的评估、监测和数据挖掘技术。具体地说，提出了传感器、过程安全和优化操作的解决方案。这些切实可行的解决方案都有可靠的基础研究支持。通过IRC项目，我们还将在过程系统工程和控制方面培养一批训练有素的工程师，从而扩大加拿大油砂专业知识的广度和深度。我们的综合项目将促进与行业的合作，将研究成果转化为实施的解决方案，并培养具有良好就业前景的高素质人才。因此，加拿大将处于有利地位，以满足其未来的工业需求。

While the economic benefits to oil sands development are evident, sustainable development of this valuable Canadian resource requires that the costs of oil extraction as well as environmental consequences be minimized. Over the last decade, due to the global demand, the oil sands industry has undergone an unprecedented development accompanied by a significant increase of production costs. Market reality requires strategic oil sands development and calls for reduction of operation costs. However, the search for solutions to the sustainable oil sands development (e.g. water use, greenhouse gas emissions, tailings) has focused on the processes that make up the oil sands operation. We propose to take a different approach by focusing on the systems that control these processes. Process control systems are critical because they allow for steady and safe process operations, efficient production, consistent product quality, less waste, and better control of emissions.Achieving better process control in the oil sands industry is not simply a matter of importing technologies from other industries. Control systems in the oil sands industry face unique challenges. The renewed NSERC-Industry Research Chair in Control of Oil Sands Processes is aimed at developing solutions that will lead to innovative estimation, monitoring and data-mining technologies in addition to supporting and improving the established solutions for the industry. Specifically, solutions for sensors, process safety and optimal operation are proposed. These practical solutions are backed by sound fundamental research. Through the IRC program, we will also extend the breadth and depth of Canada's oil sands expertise by creating a pool of highly trained engineers in process systems engineering and control. Our integrated program will enable collaboration with industry to convert research outcomes into implemented solutions, and train highly qualified personnel with excellent job prospects. As a result, Canada will be well-positioned to meet its future industry needs.