The impact of operational parameters on asphaltene deposition and bitumen recovery by cyclic solvent injection

SAGD（蒸汽辅助重力泄油）工艺是油砂资源开发的常用工艺。该行业已经开发了改进的技术，如溶剂辅助工艺，以减少SAGD工艺中的水和能源消耗，从而减轻其对环境的影响。本研究的目的是进行实验室和模拟研究，以优化循环溶剂工艺，通过了解控制沥青质沉淀的因素，作为一个潜在的问题，在这样的过程中。在拟议的实验中使用的岩石和流体样品来自阿尔伯塔冷湖的清水组。研究团队将在模拟现场条件下使用定制设计的可视化单元进行循环溶剂注入（CSI）实验。该单元允许CSI实验期间形成的沥青质的可视化和取样。该团队将分析记录的沥青-溶剂-岩石相互作用的图像，生产和剩余油的成分和沥青质含量，以及CSI实验前后岩心表面的形态。预计这项研究的结果将有助于油砂生产商优化循环溶剂工艺，通过控制操作参数，如注入压力，浸泡时间，和消耗策略，以减轻沥青质沉积在这个过程中。这项创新研究将由两名博士生进行，预计将为加拿大带来重大的环境和经济效益。

SAGD (steam assisted gravity drainage) process has been commonly used for the development of oil-sand resources. The industry has developed modified techniques such as solvent-aided processes to reduce consumption of water and energy in the SAGD process to mitigate its environmental impacts. This research aims at conducting laboratory and modelling studies to optimize cyclic solvent processes by understanding the factors controlling asphaltene precipitation as a potential problem in such processes. Rock and fluid samples used in the proposed experiments are from the Clearwater Formation at Cold Lake, Alberta. The research team will conduct cyclic-solvent-injection (CSI) experiments using a custom-designed visualization cell under simulated field conditions. The cell allows visualization and sampling of asphaltene formed during CSI experiments. The team will analyze recorded images of bitumen-solvent-rock interactions, composition and asphaltene content of produced and remaining oil, and morphology of the core surface before and after the CSI experiments. It is expected that the outcomes of this study will help oil-sand producers to optimize cyclic solvent processes by controlling operational parameters such as injection pressure, soaking time, and depletion strategy to mitigate asphaltene deposition during this process. This innovative research will be conducted by two PhD students, and is expected to bring significant environmental and economic benefits to Canada.