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Bitumen utilization via partial upgrading and emulsification

Conference ·
OSTI ID:229597
; ;  [1]
  1. Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Calgary, Alberta (Canada)
Further development of the oil sands resources of Alberta, Canada, is constrained by the ability of downstream refineries to process the high sulfur, high viscosity, and high asphaltene content bitumen. Recent engineering studies have demonstrated that high conversion processing of bitumen to produce synthetic crude oil shows at best marginal economics. In this paper, an alternative concept of bitumen upgrading and heavy bottoms utilization is presented. The proposed method of Phased Partial Upgrading (PPU) involves, first, separation of the bitumen into a light overhead fraction and a heavy bottom fraction using conventional processes, such as distillation or solvent deasphalting. The light overhead fraction, which resembles a typical light sour crude, can be marketed directly, or can be hydrotreated to reduce sulfur and enhance quality as catalytic cracker feedstock. The PPU heavy fraction is converted to an emulsion fuel using new techniques and a proprietary surfactant formulation. This fuel can replace coal and other heavy fuels in electrical utilities. Emulsion fuel prepared in a continuous pilot unit was successfully burned in several combustion test programs.
OSTI ID:
229597
Report Number(s):
CONF-9502114--Vol.2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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