Removal of dissolved silica in SAGD and CSS produced water by Fe-based electrocoagulation: structure and reactivity of iron precipitates

从油砂矿藏中提取沥青需要利用大量淡水，并产生废水，称为油砂采出水。目前，由于采出水中存在影响油砂开采效率的成分，限制了油砂生产中水的循环利用。产出水中高浓度的溶解二氧化硅尤其成问题，因为二氧化硅的沉淀往往会导致热蒸汽发生器结垢和处理井堵塞。在这个项目中，壳牌(卡尔加里，AB)和Anh Pham(卡尔顿大学)将探索一种新的方法来加强对采出水中溶解物质的去除。溶解二氧化硅的成功去除将促进水的循环利用，提供降低生产成本和油砂开采对环境影响的双重好处。

The extraction of bitumen from oil sands deposit utilizes large volumes of freshwater, and generates wastewater, known as oil sands produced water. Currently, water recycling and reuse in oil sands production is limited due to the presence of constituents in the produced water that affect oil sands extraction efficiency. High concentrations of dissolved silica in the produced water is particularly problematic as the precipitation of silica often leads to scaling of hot steam generators and clogging of disposal wells. In this project, Shell (Calgary, AB) and Anh Pham (Carleton University), will explore a novel approach to enhance the removal of dissolved from produced water. Successful removal of dissolved silica will enhance water recycling and reuse, providing dual benefits of reducing the production cost and the environment impact of oil sands extraction.