In Situ Oil Sands Recovery Processes Enhancement Through Co-injection of Nanoparticles with Steam

阿尔伯塔省的油砂开采需要大量的水，并产生大量的温室气体（ghg）。为了应对这些环境挑战，需要使用更少的水、产生更少或不产生温室气体的新型升级和回收工艺。该研究项目的愿景是通过使用比传统石油工艺更环保的创新回收工艺来维持油砂开采，以满足国内和国际能源需求，这对加拿大具有重要价值。拟议的研究将开发和实施用于沥青热过程升级的智能纳米材料。这项创新可以通过提供一种实用、环保、经济高效的方法来减少有害的固体废物碳氢化合物和气体排放，从而改变油砂行业。该研究计划应开发见解、新技术和高素质人才（HQP）。它还将为石油工业创造机会，将知识转化为更环保的过程，从而显著改善经济影响。

Alberta oil sands recovery, as practiced using current technologies, requires substantial quantities of water and generates a significant amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Novel upgrading and recovery processes that use less water and generate fewer or no GHGs are needed to deal with these environmental challenges. The vision of this research program is to sustain oil sands exploitation to meet national and international energy demand by using innovative recovery processes that would be more environmentally friendly than conventional oil processes, with significant value to Canada. The proposed research will develop and implement smart nanomaterials for bitumen upgrading for thermal processes. This innovation could transform the oil sands industry by providing a practical, environmentally friendly, cost effective - yet highly efficient - approach to reducing both harmful solid waste hydrocarbons and gas emissions. The research program shall develop insights, new technologies and highly qualified personnel (HQP). It will also create opportunities for the oil industry to transform knowledge into more environmentally sound processes with noticeably improved economic impact.