Oil Sands Investigations ― a team approach Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation University of Alberta

Oil Sands Investigations― a team approach

Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity

Centre for Oil Sands Innovation

University of Alberta

Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation & CMASTE

2 Inside Education

A1: oil sands mine (< 75 m)

•overburden stripper•oil sands shovel•oil sands truck

B1: bitumen extraction unit

•hydrotransport•separation tanks

•naphtha dilution system•centrifuge B2: insitu extraction

of bitumen unit (e.g., SAGD)

C1: vacuum distillation unit

D1.1: thermal-cracking unit

E1: distillation unit (e.g., gas, naphtha, kerosene

& gas oil)F1: hydrotreaters G1: synthetic

crude blender

F1.2.1: Claus converter

Bitumen to Synthetic Crude Oil (5)

Upgrading of bitumen to

synthetic crude oil

Extraction of bitumen from oil

sands

H2S(g)

H1: refinery further cracking and

distillation

pipe(line)

F: H2(g) generatorbitumen

dilbit

dilbit

C1.3: naphtha recycle system

naphtha

S8(l)

H2(g)

NH3(g)

B1.1: tailings pond

coke

sulfur ammonia

oil

F1.2: amine scrubberH2S(g)

sourgas

water

sand

gasoline, diesel, etc.

steam

CH4(g)

NH3(g)

C(s)

D1.2: hydro-cracking unit

F: H2(g)


3

Research Program & Projects: Variables Affecting Bitumen Extraction

Research Projects

1. temperature

2. quantity of air

3. pH

4. Ca2+(aq) concentration

5. quality of oil sands


4

Testing Hypotheses (H)― replicating scientific research

The extraction of bitumen from oil sands:

H1: increases with temperature

H2: increases with pH

H3: increases with air

H4: decreases with air exposure to oil sands

H5: decreases with addition of Ca2+(aq)


5

Design & Materials from Procedure

Design: Manipulate one variable; control all other variables (e.g., temp., pH, and air)

Materials: e.g., glass vials, oil sands, water, air, NaOH(aq), and CaCl2(aq)

Procedure: Prepare vial with oil sands, water and air. Adjust temperature or pH. Observe and measure the effect.

(Students write Design and Materials from the Procedure provided.)


6

Some Procedures

heating samples on a hot plate

keeping temperature for 5 min

preparing to shake hot vial for 1 min (horizontally and then vertically)


7

1. Manipulating Temperature (sustained for 5 min)

Place one vial in water at about 20 ºC.

Place second vial in water at about 50 ºC.

Place third vial in water at about 80 ºC.

Shake horizontally for 45 s and vertically for 15 s, then let settle.


8

2. Affect of pH (What is the right value?)

Heat each of the vials marked pH 7, 9 and 11 at 80 ºC for 5 min.

Shake each of the vials for 1 min—45 s horizontally and 15 s vertically (or some other constant ratio).

rich oil sands; 80oC; airclay froth for pH of 11


9

3. Manipulating Air (by length)

Heat each of the vials at 80 ºC for 5 min.


Record evidence.

air volume manipulated

air starts

air starts

no air


10

4. Affect of Ca2+(aq) Concentration

Calcium ions build up in the tailings pond water and adversely affect the process.

Hypothesis: Increasing the [Ca2+], decreases the extraction of bitumen from oil sands.



Observe the vials.

10 mmol/L Ca2+(aq)pH of 9 at 80ºC with air


11

5. Affect of Quality of Oil Sands



Record evidence.Some dried oil sands—acts like lean oil sands.

L7 = lean; pH 7

R9 = rich; pH 9


12

6. Bonus Lab: Affect of Solvents

Do not heat these vials. Three contain flammable liquids.

Record the evidence; shake the vials and record any further evidence.


13

Research Program/Team

This series of investigations is aimed at testing hypotheses by manipulating one

variable at a time improving the extraction of bitumen from oil

sands—especially to reduce energy and water usage and environmental impact.

illustrating a research team approach that is common within scientific research programs.


14

Acknowledgements

COSI staff: Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation

Andree Koenig (demo) Cam McGregor Pam Seager Dr. Zhenghe Xu Dr. Steve Kuznicki Dr. Murray Gray

Alberta Ingenuity Sandra Robertson

CMASTE Dr. Bob Ritter

Authors Art Bauer Dr. Frank Jenkins

teachers who have provided feedback on these lessons

Documents

Oil Sands Investigations ― a team approach Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation University of Alberta