Post on 14-Dec-2015
Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment:
Comparison with Conventional Crude
February 4, 2015
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AI-EES Mandate and Goal
• “……research, innovation and technology implementation arm of the Government of Alberta ministries in energy and environment”
• Develop solutions for the key technical challenges facing Alberta’s energy, environment and water sectors
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AI-EES Strategic Focus
EnergyTechnologies
• Advanced Recovery• Partial Upgrading• Value Added
Water & EnvironmentalManagement
• Water Resources • Water Use CEP• Tailings Reclamation• Land Management• GHG Capture/Utilization
Renewable &Emerging
Technologies
• Renewables• Waste-to-Energy• Green the Grid
Market Access
Sustainable
production
Climate change
Social Licence
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Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment, Compared with Conventional Crude:
AI-EES’s Objectives
• Understand the fate and behavior of diluted bitumen in freshwater environment compared to conventional crudes
• Understand the environmental impacts of diluted bitumen in freshwater environment compared to conventional crudes
• Inform policy makers and regulators to effectively prepare for emergency and response in case of diluted bitumen spills
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Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: AI-EES Approach (Foci)
1.CompositionalComparison
3. Lab Testing:Biological
2. Lab Testing: Chemi-physical
4. Spill Case Comparisons
Insight andUnderstanding
7 7
1. Compositional Comparison• 10 diluted bitumen compared with 25 conventional crudes, all
from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB)
• Actual QA data over 5 years, over 8,000 data points
• All data comes from www.crudemonitor.ca;
• Conventional crudes: light, medium, & heavy
• Dilluted bitumen:• Dilbit: bitumen + diluent
• Synbit: bitumen + synthetic sweet crude (SCO)
• Dilsynbit: synbit + diluent
1. Compositional Comparison:ID of the Crudes
Diluted Bitumen DB1 Access Western BlendDB2 Borealis Heavy BlendDB3 Christina Dilbit BlendDB4 Cold LakeDB5 Kearl LakeDB6 Western Canadian SelectDB7 Statoil Cheecham SynbitDB8 Surmont Heavy BlendDB9 Synbit BlendDB10 Albian Heavy Synthetic
LC1 BC Light LC2 Boundary LakeLC3 Gibson Light SourLC4 Koch AlbertaLC5 Moose Jaw TopsLC6 Pembina Light SourLC7 Light Sour BlendLC8 Mixed Sweet BlendLC9 Rainbow
MC1 Hardisty LightMC2 Medium Gibson SourMC3 MidaleMC4 Peace Pipe SourMC5 Medium Sour Blend
HC1 Bow River NorthHC2 Bow River SouthHC3 FostertonHC4 Lloyd BlendHC5 Lloyd KerrobertHC6 Seal HeavyHC7 Smiley-ColevilleHC8 Wabasca HeavyHC9 Western Canadian BlendHC10 Conventional HeavyHC11 Premium Conventional Heavy
Conventional Heavy
Conventional Medium
Conventional Light
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9 9
1. Compositional Comparison:Properties Compared
• Density and API Gravity
• Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene, Xylene (BTEX)
• Sulphur and Total Acid Number (TAN)
• Metals: Nickel and Vanadium
LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
800
820
840
860
880
900
920
940
960
Density
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Den
sity
(kg/
m3)
1. Compositional Comparison:Density
Density of diluted bitumen is higher than those of conventional light and medium but similar to that of conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Gravity
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Gra
vity
(° A
PI)
1. Compositional Comparison:Gravity
API gravity of diluted bitumen is lower than those of conventional light and medium but similar to that of conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
Benzene
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Benz
ene
(vol
%)
1. Compositional Comparison:Benzene
Benzene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
Toluene
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Tolu
ene
(vol
%)
1. Compositional Comparison: Toluene
Toluene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
Ethylbenzene
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Ethy
lben
zene
(vol
%)
1. Compositional Comparison:Ethylbenzene
Ethylbenzene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
Xylene
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Xyle
ne (v
ol%
)
1. Compositional Comparison:Xylene
Xylene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
Sulphur
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Sulp
hur (
wt%
)
1. Compositional Comparison:Sulphur
Sulphur content of diluted bitumen is higher than those of conventional light and medium but similar to that of conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Total Acid Number
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
TAN
(mgK
OH
/g)
1. Compositional Comparison:Total Acid Number (TAN)
TAN of diluted bitumen is generally higher than those in conventional crudes but in the similar range for conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Nickel
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Nic
kel (
mg/
L)
1. Compositional ComparisonNickel
Nickel content in diluted bitumen is generally higher than those in conventional light and medium, and similar to that in conventional heavy
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LC1
LC2
LC3
LC4
LC5
LC6
LC7
LC8
LC9
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
MC5
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5
HC6
HC7
HC8
HC9
HC1
0H
C11
DB1
DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
DB7
DB8
DB9
DB1
0
0
50
100
150
200
250
Vanadium
Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen
Vana
dium
(mg/
L)
1. Compositional Comparison:Vanadium
Vanadium content in diluted bitumen is generally higher than those in conventional light and medium, and similar to that in conventional heavy
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1. Compositional Comparison:Summary and Implication
Summary of Observation Implication
Density and API gravity of diluted bitumen are similar to conventional heavy; density is less than 0.940
Diluted bitumen will stay afloat in freshwater before weathering and/or contacted by sediments
BTEX contents in diluted bitumen are generally lower than in conventional light and medium and similar to those in conventional heavy
Diluted bitumen may have less health hazard to emergency response workers and residents around a spill, and lower acute toxicity to aquatic life than a conventional crude spill
Sulphur and TAN contents in diluted bitumen are generally higher than those in conventional crudes but in the similar range for conventional heavy
More organic acids would dissolve into water from diluted bitumen than from conventional light and medium, but similar to conventional heavy
Nickel and vanadium contents in diluted bitumen are generally higher than those in conventional light and medium, and similar to that in conventional heavy
More nickel and vanadium would dissolve into water from diluted bitumen than from conventional light and medium, but similar to conventional heavy
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Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: AI-EES Approach (Foci)
1.CompositionalComparison
3. Lab Testing:Biological
2. Lab Testing: Chemi-physical
4. Spill Case Comparisons
Insight andUnderstanding
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• Crudes used for testing: Cold Lake dilbit winter blend (CLWB) and a conventional light, Alberta Sweet Blend (ASB)
• Water and sediment sources: North Saskatchewan river in Edmonton, Alberta
2. Chemi-Physical Lab Testing
2.1 Evaporative weathering (Dr. Harvey Yarranton, University of Calgary, UofC), http://ai-ees.ca/media/13165/weather_tests_for_dilbit_films_reprot_final.pdf
submitted to Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology.
2.2 Low energy weathering in “fish tanks” (Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, AITF), being finalized.
2.3 High energy weathering (Dr. Heather Dettman, CanmetEnergy), in progress.
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2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC)
• Dilbit film thickness, 1.6 – 5.4 mm, with or without water at base
• 7 cm diameter dishes
• Temperature: 5 - 60°C
• Duration: most for 10 days, up to 60 days
tray
water bath
dish
portable fume hood
air in
vent
snorkel
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2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC)
• Dilbit evaporation in 10 days: less than 20% (diluent in CLWB is 30%)
• Evaporative weathering of dilbit is slower than commonly assumed
0
5
10
15
20
25
0 100 200 300
Perc
en
t E
vap
ora
tio
n
Time, hours
CLWB 25 C
CLWB 15 C
CLWB 5 C
curve fit
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0 100 200 300P
erc
en
t E
vap
ora
tio
n
Time, hours
curve fit
ASB 25 C
ASB 15 C
ASB 5 C
Dilbit
Light Crude
Evaporation as function of temperature and time
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2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC)
• Density changes in dilbit and light crude are relatively small in weathering
• Density of dilbit never reached 1.000 in 10 days
• Dilbit experienced 500 times increase in viscosity in 10 days
Density and Viscosity Changes during Weathering
800
850
900
950
1000
0 10 20 30 40 50
Den
sit
y a
t 20C, kg
/m³
Percent Evaporation
CLWB 5 CCLWB 15 CCLWB 25 CASB 5 CASB 15 CASB 25 Cfit
1
10
100
1000
10000
100000
0 10 20 30 40
VIs
co
sit
y a
t 24�C
, m
Pa
.sPercent Evaporation
CLWB
ASB
Density Viscosity
25
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2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC):Key Observations and Implications
• Evaporative weathering of dilbit is much slower than conventional light crude Lower health hazards
• About 1/3 diluent remains in dilbit after 10 days; density of dilbit approaches 1.000 kg/m3 in 60 days at 60⁰C In absence of sediments, dilbit can stay afloat for 10 - 30 days
• Dilbit experienced 500 times increase in viscosity in 10 days dilbit recovery should be less difficult than light crude recovery before submerge or sinking
2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)• Running time: 10 days for
each run• Temperature: 15°C• Video recorded• Vapor and water
compositions monitored
Tank Dimensions Length: 119.4 cmWidth: 58.4 cmHeight: 59.7 cm
Dilbit or Light OilSurface area: 6974.2 cm2Layer thickness: 5.0 mmVolume: 3.5 litres
Run Condition
Air circulation
Water circulation
Sediments
1 Stagnant 0 LPM 2 GPM No
2 Dynamic 40 LPM 9 GPM No
3 Dynamic 40 LPM 9 GPM Yes
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2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)
Condition 1: StagnantLight Crude Oil - Day 1
Dilbit - Day 10 Dilbit - Day 1
Light Crude Oil - Day 10
29 29
2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)Condition 2: Dynamic, no sediments
Light Crude Oil - Day 1
Dilbit - Day 10 Dilbit - Day 1
Light Crude Oil - Day 10
30 30
2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)Condition 3: Dynamic, with sediments
Dilbit - Day 10 Dilbit - Day 1
Light Crude Oil - Day 1 Light Crude Oil - Day 10
2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF): Summary
• Submerged oil not observed under the studied low-energy condition
• Adding sediments did promote settling of conventional crude and dilbit; more oil was found in the sediments exposed to conventional crude (0.19% oil) than that to dilbit (0.08% oil)
• Dissolved hydrocarbon is higher in water in contact with dilbit than that in contact with conventional crude
• In low energy environment, no significant difference in behavior between dilbit and conventional light crude
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Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: AI-EES Approach (Foci)
1.CompositionalComparison
3. Lab Testing:Biological
2. Lab Testing: Chemi-physical
4. Spill Case Comparisons
Insight andUnderstanding
33 33
• Crudes used for testing: Cold Lake dilbit (CLWB), a conventional light, Alberta Sweet Blend (ASB), and a conventional medium, Medium Sour Blend
3. Biological Lab Testing (UofA and UofL): in progress
3.1 Toxicity assessment of dilbit in comparison to conventional crudes (Dr. Keith Tierney, UofA), in progress
3.2 Riparian vegetation (Dr. Steward Rood, UofL), completed, manuscript being prepared
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4. Spill Case Comparison: in progress
• Marshall, Michigan vs. Red Deer River, Alberta• Dilbit vs. conventional crude• Both took place in early summer with high flow• Submerged dilbit/oil found in both cases• Gaseous hydrocarbon (BTEX) was found
problematic for both emergency
Martin Bundred, Consequence Manager of the Alberta Environment Support and Emergency Response Team (ASERT)
Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: Key Learning to Date
• Diluted bitumen will stay afloat in freshwater, before contacted by sediments, for at least 10 days and likely much longer. No submerged oil or dilbit have been observed when no contact with sediments.
• When contacted, both conventional light oil and dilbit will be adsorbed on sediments in low-energy environment
• Health hazard to emergency response workers and residents around a diluted bitumen spill would be less or at least no worse than that from a conventional crude spill
• More organic acids would dissolve into water from diluted bitumen than from conventional light and medium, but similar to conventional heavy
• Dilbit experienced 500 times increase in viscosity in 10 days. This should make dilbit recovery easier than light crude recovery
• Current understanding indicates that emergency response procedures for conventional oil spills should be sufficient for dilbit spills.
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Acknowledgements
• Vicki Lightbown and Dr. Brett Purdy, AI-EES
• Dr. Heather Dettman, CanmetEnergy
• Dr. Harvey Yarranton, University of Calgary
• Gerard Morrison and Harry Tsaprailis, AITF
• Amar Bokhari, Alberta Energy
• Martin Bundred, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
• Dr. Keith Tierney, University of Alberta
• Dr. Stew Rood, University of Lethbridge
• Dr. Bruce Hollebone, Environment Canada
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Contact
John Zhou, Ph.D., P.Geol.Executive Director, Water and Environmental Management
Alberta Innovates Energy and Environment Solutions (AI-EES)John.zhou@albertainnovates.ca
www.albertainnovates.ca780-422-8853 (O)
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2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC)
• Diluent evaporation will only reach completion (30% in CLWB) in 60 days at 60°C
Evaporation as function of temperature and time
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 500 1000 1500
Perc
en
t E
vap
ora
tio
n
Time (hr)
5.4 mm, 15 C5.4 mm, 35 C5.4 mm, 60 C5.0 mm, 25 C5.0 mm, 25 C5.0 mm, 60 C
39 39
2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC)Evaporative Weathering with/without Water at
the Base: Little Effect
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 100 200 300
Perc
en
t E
va
po
rati
on
Time, hours
CLWB base
CLWB water
ASB base
ASB water