Abstract
In 1980, the Department of Energy’s Laramie Energy Technology Center conducted a steam-driven tar sand recovery experiment near Vernal, Utah. This experiment yielded 1,150 barrels of bitumen and 6,250 barrels of process water, which was highly contaminated with emulsified oils and dissolved organics. The process waters were successfully treated by bench-scale, continuous-flow air flotation (AF), but significant amounts of very dilute sludge were generated. The present study investigated the effects of adding a second flotation stage to the AF system to thicken stage I sludge, produce a clean effluent suitable for recycling, and thereby increase the hydraulic efficiency of the system. Key stage II operating variables were polymer dose, air flowrate, and liquid residence time. These were optimized to minimize sludge volume and maximize effluent quality and volume. Total organic carbon and total suspended solids removals in the stage II system were 96 and 99%, respectively. Overall sludge production equalled about 2% of the total influent flow.
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