Micro/Nanobubbles for Enhanced Bitumen Recovery

用于增强沥青回收的微/纳米气泡

• 批准号: 550078-2020
• 负责人: Zhang, Xuehua
• 金额: $ 6.53万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=721228
• 关键词: Micro; Nanobubbles; Enhanced; Bitumen; Recovery

The aim of this research project is to develop a micro/nanobubble (MNB) technology for oilsands industry through strong partnership with Imperial Oil Canada. This novel MNB technology is based on remarkable effects of tiny bubbles on the processes in bitumen separation. A large quantity of these tiny bubbles in the slurry of bitumen, solids and water can readily adhere on the surface of bitumen, bridging the attachment of bitumen onto millimeter-sized flotation bubbles. The bitumen captured by the flotation bubbles can be carried up to the top of the slurry for separation. The MNB-enhanced attachment can be applied in bitumen extraction from oilsands ores as well as in recovery of bitumen residues from industrial wastewater. In this project, MNB-enhanced bitumen recovery will be investigated and optimized by using the lab-scale pipeline loop, extraction unit and flotation column. The results from this project are anticipated to provide first-hand information for the next step of piloting scale and large-scale field tests. Furthermore, a suite of state-of-the-art microscopical and fast imaging techniques will be explored to unravel the principles that govern the physicochemical and dynamic processes in enhanced bitumen recovery in presence of MNBs. The MNB technology to be developed in this project may potentially bring tangible economy benefits for Canada, and reduce environmental impact from responsible and sustainable exploration of valuable natural resources. The close collaboration among the engineering scientists in the company and the research team in the University will ensure that the proven concepts will be taken to the next level towards commercialization. The project will create excellent opportunities for highly qualified personnel to develop technical skills as well as professional skills.

该研究项目的目的是通过与加拿大帝国石油公司的强有力的合作伙伴关系，为油砂行业开发微/纳米气泡（MNB）技术。这种新型的MNB技术是基于微小气泡对沥青分离过程的显著影响。沥青、固体和水的浆料中的大量这些微小气泡可以容易地粘附在沥青的表面上，将沥青附着在毫米大小的浮选气泡上。由浮选气泡捕获的沥青可以被带到浆料的顶部以进行分离。MNB增强型附着体可应用于从油砂矿中提取沥青以及从工业废水中回收沥青残余物。在本项目中，MNB提高沥青回收率将通过使用实验室规模的管道回路、萃取单元和浮选柱进行研究和优化。 该项目的结果有望为下一步的中试规模和大规模现场测试提供第一手资料。此外，一套国家的最先进的显微镜和快速成像技术将被探索，以解开的原则，管理的物理化学和动态过程中提高沥青回收MNB的存在。该项目开发的MNB技术可能会为加拿大带来切实的经济效益，并减少对宝贵自然资源的负责任和可持续开发对环境的影响。公司的工程科学家和大学的研究团队之间的密切合作将确保经过验证的概念将被带到商业化的新水平。该项目将为高素质人员发展技术技能和专业技能创造极好的机会。