Glycol Ether Amine Bitumen Extraction Viscosity Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for bitumen recovery from oil sands, such as surface mining and in situ techniques, face challenges due to the viscous nature of bitumen, leading to inefficient extraction, high energy consumption, environmental concerns, and low recovery rates, particularly in deeper deposits.
Innovation Solution
The use of glycol ether amines, such as 2-butoxy-1-aminoethane and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1-aminoethane, in the water or steam used for bitumen recovery processes to reduce viscosity and enhance extraction efficiency in both surface mining and in situ methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional water or steam extraction is used, then the extraction process can be performed with simple equipment, but bitumen recovery rates are low due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the extraction fluid by introducing glycol ether amines with specific molecular structures (containing hydroxyl, ether, and amine functional groups). This chemical parameter change reduces bitumen viscosity and enhances extraction efficiency, resolving the contradiction between recovery rate and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite extraction fluids combining water or steam with glycol ether amine chemicals. This composite approach leverages the heating effect of steam/water and the viscosity-reducing properties of glycol ether amines, achieving both high recovery rates and reasonable energy consumption.
2Productivity
If higher temperatures are used to reduce bitumen viscosity, then extraction efficiency improves, but energy consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical properties of the extraction system by adding glycol ether amines, which allow effective extraction at lower temperatures. The functional groups in these chemicals interact with bitumen to reduce viscosity, enabling efficient extraction without high thermal input, thus reducing environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely thermal mechanism (heating to reduce viscosity) with a chemical mechanism (glycol ether amine interaction). This substitution allows viscosity reduction through chemical action rather than thermal energy, lowering the temperature requirement and environmental footprint.
3Productivity
If more steam injection is used to heat bitumen, then viscosity decreases and flow improves, but recovery rates remain limited and operational downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces glycol ether amines as intermediary substances that facilitate bitumen extraction. These chemicals act as mediators between the extraction fluid and bitumen, reducing interfacial tension and enhancing mass transfer, which improves recovery rates and reduces the time needed for effective extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition of the injection fluid to include glycol ether amines, which change the extraction mechanism from purely thermal to chemically-assisted. This parameter change enables continuous operation with higher recovery rates by reducing the dependency on extended heating and settling periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves bitumen recovery rates, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes environmental impact by effectively lowering the viscosity of bitumen, allowing for more efficient extraction and processing, with enhanced separation and upgrading capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a glycol ether amine in the water and/or steam used in the bitumen recovery process to reduce viscosity
Implementation Method 2
steam is injected into the well at a temperature of 250° C. to 400° C. The steam rises and heats the bitumen, decreasing its viscosity
Implementation Method 3
a hot water extraction process is typically used in the Athabasca field in which the oil sands are mixed with water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved bitumen recovery process from oil sands. The oil sands may be surface mined and transported to a treatment area or may be treated directly by means of an in situ process of oil sand deposits that are located too deep for strip mining. Specifically, the present invention involves the step of treating oil sands with a glycol ether amine described by the following structure: R—(OC2H4)x—NH2 or R—(OCH2CH(CH3))y— NH2 wherein R is a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a phenyl group and x and y independently are 1 to 3.