CURRENT PROJECTS
CAER04 Asphaltene Precipitation from
Live Oil
Measurement of onset and amount of
asphaltene precipitation from a live oil undergoing depressurization.
Extension of regular solution model and/or a modified PR-EoS to model
precipitation from live oils.
CAER05 Effect of Emulsified Water on
Asphaltene Precipitation
Evaluation of the effect of emulsified
water on asphaltene precipitation. Extended to an evaluation of
asphaltenes adsorbed at the interface.
CAER06 Emulsion Rag Layer
Formation
Design a flow-loop/separation
apparatus to evaluate rag layer accumulation during emulsion treatment.
Identify parameters that trigger accumulation; for example, oil/solvent
composition, clay content, water content, naphthenic acid content, drop size
distribution, and residence time.
CAER07 Measuring Heavy Oil Vapour Pressure
Design an apparatus to measure the
vapour pressure of heavy oil components. Data is to be used to
characterize heavy oils for EoS models.
CAER08 Phase Behavior of Bitumen/Solvent Systems
Measurement of the phase volumes,
compositions, densities, and viscosities in mixtures of bitumen and solvents.
Development of characterization and EoS modeling approach.
CAER09 Rag
Layer Formation in Continuous Froth Treatment
Investigation of the mechanisms of rag
layer formation and evaluation of the effect of extraction and froth treatment
conditions on rag layers.
CAER10 Solvent Composition in Asphaltene-Rich Phases
Develop technique to measure solvent
content of asphaltene-rich phases (method based on evaporation rate of solvent).
Extend regular solution model to allow solvent partitioning and tune to fit
compositional data. Previously the solvent content was set to zero in the
dense phase
CAER11 Viscosity of Heavy Oils and Solvents
Measure viscosity of heavy oil and
solvents. Develop a correlation to predict mixture viscosities.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
CAER01 Characterization of Resins
Measurement of amount of asphaltene
precipitation from solutions of asphaltenes, resins, toluene, and n-butane or
propane. Measurement of molar mass of resin and asphaltene mixtures.
Modeling of asphaltene-resin self-association and molar mass distribution.
Determination of the solubility parameters of resins. Determined that
asphaltenes and resins better described as a single distribution of species
rather than as two distinct fractions.
CAER02 Asphaltene Precipitation from
Blended Oils
Measurement of onset and amount of
asphaltene precipitation from crude oil blends and heavy oils diluted with
multi-component diluents. Demonstrated that a regular solution model can
be used to predict blend compatibility. Determined that weight averaging
of SARA fractions suitable for fluid characterization. Found that asphaltenes
from different source oil better modeled as non-interacting components.
CAER03 Rag
Layer Formation in Batch Froth Treatment
Investigation of the mechanisms of rag
layer formation and evaluation of the effect of extraction and froth treatment
conditions on rag layers. Demonstrated that slow coalescence of water
droplets and wettability of solids both contribute to rag layer formation.
Found that type of solvent and dilution ratio were the major factors in rag
layer stability.
Affiliated Project: Phase Behavior of Bitumen/Propane/CO2 Systems
Measurement of the phase volumes,
compositions, densities, and viscosities in mixtures of bitumen, propane, and
carbon dioxide. VLE modeled with simple variations to Raoult's and Henry's
Laws. Viscosity modeled using Lobe correlation.
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