Stabilization of Diluted BitumeninWater Emulsions with Clays

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Stabilization of Diluted Bitumen-in-Water
Emulsions with Clays

• Nianxi Yan and K. Nandakumar
• NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Oil Sands
• Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
• University of Alberta,
• Edmonton, Alberta

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Background

• Emulsions are usually formed during oil
  production and bitumen extraction process.
• This project explores the partitioning of clays
  between diluted bitumen and water.

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Conclusions

• Clays treated with asphaltenes can stabilize
  diluted bitumen-in-water emulsion.
• Aqueous phase pH level affects clay partitioning.
• Clay partitioning is affected by the clays
  wettability and by the type of solvent used to
  dilute the bitumen.
• It is not possible to dislodge the clays from the
  interface by washing with fresh water.
• Among the tested solvents, naphtha gives the
  lowest clay partitioning at the diluted
  bitumen-water interface.