Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of tailings flow in pipelines for enhanced bitumen recovery

对管道中尾矿流进行计算流体动力学 (CFD) 模拟，以提高沥青回收率

• 批准号: 561533-2021
• 负责人: Zhang, Xuehua
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 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=722036
• 关键词: Computational; fluid; dynamics; CFD; simulations

The goal of this partnership is to develop a technology for bitumen separation from the flow of tailings during pipeline hydrotransport. The current industrial water-based extraction process produces a vast volume of tailings as by-product that mainly consist of residual bitumen, process water, sand and clays. Tailings are hydrotransported in pipelines over several kilometers to a storage pond where the solids settle and consolidate before land reclamation. Prior to disposal, recovery of residual bitumen in tailings is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emission from the ponds and to mitigate the environmental hazard associated with bitumen decomposition. In this project, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations will be conducted to predict the flow conditions and develop the technology for enhanced bitumen separation by taking advantage of pipeline hydrtransport of tailings to the pond. This research project will potentially create benefits to oil sands industry by obtaining valuable components from the waste, and make contribution to environment by reducing greenhouse gas emission from tailing ponds. The separation technology based on pipeline transport is transferrable to other industrial and environmental processes for waste management and recycle of valuables. This project will offer excellent research training opportunities for highly qualified personnel.

这一合作伙伴关系的目标是开发一种技术，将沥青从管道水运过程中的尾矿流中分离出来。目前的工业水基提取工艺产生了大量的尾矿作为副产品，主要由残馀沥青、工艺水、砂和粘土组成。尾矿在几公里长的管道中被水力运输到一个储存池，在那里固体在土地开垦之前沉淀和固结。在处置之前，回收尾矿中的残留沥青对于减少池塘的温室气体排放和减轻与沥青分解相关的环境危害至关重要。在本项目中，将进行计算流体动力学(CFD)模拟，以预测流动条件，并开发利用管道水压将尾矿输送到池塘中的强化沥青分离技术。该研究项目将通过从废渣中提取有价值的成分为油砂行业创造潜在的效益，并通过减少尾矿库的温室气体排放来为环境做出贡献。基于管道运输的分离技术可以转移到其他工业和环境过程中，用于废物管理和贵重物品的回收。该项目将为高素质人才提供极好的研究培训机会。