Phase Behavior and Thermophysical Properties of Peace River Bitumen + Propane Mixtures from 303 K to 393 K

Abstract

Propane and mixtures including propane as a principal component are among the leading potential candidates for co-injection along with steam for improving the process and environmental efficiency of oil sands bitumen production processes. Phase diagrams and thermophysical property data enable technologies for the development and optimization of such processes. In this work, phase behavior, phase composition, and phase densities of propane + Peace River bitumen mixtures are reported in the temperature range 303 to 393 K at pressures ranging from 1 to 6 MPa. The phase behavior of this pseudobinary mixture can be categorized as Type III according to the van Konynenburg–Scott nomenclature. Pressure–temperature at fixed composition, and pressure–composition at fixed temperature phase diagrams, and pressure–temperature phase projections are presented, along with saturated compositions and densities of the coexisting bitumen-saturated propane liquid (L1) and propane-saturated bitumen liquid (L2) phases. Saturated L1 and L2 phases are both significantly less dense than liquid water phases at the same temperatures and pressures, and the volumes of mixing, particularly for the L1 phase, are large and negative. This data set provides a benchmark for process development and process design calculations for ongoing bitumen production and deasphalting applications.