Advancement of bitumen partial upgrading with consideration of alloy corrosion

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Canadian oilsand bitumen is a viscous fuel extracted from the oil sands. According to the Government of Canada, the oil sands production was 2.9 million barrels per day in 2019 and continuous increase in the production is anticipated. 96% of Canadian bitumen are transported to US refining markets and most are transported through pipelines. Due to its high viscosity, around 30% diluent solvent must be premixed with bitumen prior to its transportation to achieve the pipeline viscosity specifications. Addition of diluent represents an extra cost of bitumen and greenhouse gas emissions. To increase the profit margin and competitiveness of bitumen and to decrease its carbon footprints, the applicant collaborates with CanmetMaterials, NRCan (CMAT) to develop a cost-effective upgrading technology to partially upgrade bitumen to pipeline transportable fuels, understand alloy corrosion mechanisms in the partial upgrading process and then optimize the process with consideration of alloy corrosion. The collaborated research well aligns with the core research of CMAT. The success of the project will promote economic growth and strengthen the Canada's leading position in bitumen oil upgrading. This is an interdisciplinary research that forms an excellent platform for training next generation chemical engineers with expertise in the field of bitumen upgrading and process optimization.