Upgrading Of Bitumen Research Articles

The differences between remote sensing and in situ air pollutant measurements over the Canadian oil sands

Abstract. Ground-based remote sensing instruments have been widely used for atmospheric research, but applications for air quality monitoring remain limited. Compared to an in situ instrument that provides air quality conditions at the ground level, most remote sensing instruments (nadir viewing) are sensitive to a broad range of altitudes, often providing only integrated column observations. These column data can be more difficult to interpret and to relate to surface values and hence to “nose-height-level” health factors. This research utilized ground-based remote sensing and in situ air quality observations in Canada's Athabasca oil sands region to investigate some of their differences. Vertical column densities (VCDs) of SO2 and NO2 retrieved by Pandora spectrometers located at the Oski-Otin site at Fort McKay (Alberta, Canada) from 2013–2019 were analyzed along with measurements of SO2 and NO2 surface concentrations and meteorological data. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations by a CIMEL sunphotometer were compared with surface PM2.5 data. The Oski-Otin site is surrounded by several large bitumen mining operations within the Athabasca oil sands region with significant NO2 emissions from the mining fleet. Two major bitumen upgraders that are 20 km south-east of the site have total SO2 and NO2 emissions of about 40 and 20 kt yr−1, respectively. It was demonstrated that remote sensing data from Pandora and CIMEL combined with high-vertical-resolution wind profiles can provide information about pollution sources and plume characteristics. Elevated SO2 VCDs were clearly observed for times with south and south-eastern winds, particularly at 200–300 m altitude (above ground level). High NO2 VCD values were observed from other directions (e.g., north-west) with less prominent impacts from 200–300 m winds. In situ ground observations of SO2 and NO2 show a different sensitivity to wind profiles, indicating they are less sensitive to elevated plumes than remote sensing instruments. In addition to measured wind data and lidar-observed boundary layer height (BLH), modelled wind profiles and BLH from ECMWF Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) have been used to further examine the correlation between column and surface observations. The results show that the height of emission sources (e.g., emissions from high stacks or near the surface) will determine the ratio of measured column and surface concentration values (i.e., could show positive or negative correlation with BLH). This effect will have an impact on the comparison between column observations (e.g., from the satellite or ground-based remote sensing instruments) with surface in situ measurements. This study explores differences between remote sensing and in situ instruments in terms of their vertical, horizontal, and temporal sampling differences. Understanding and resolving these differences are critical for future analyses linking satellite, ground-based remote sensing and in situ observations in air quality monitoring and research.

Novel THAI well arrangements for improving heavy oil recovery rate in comparison to that achievable in the conventional THAI in situ combustion technology

The toe-to-heel air injection (THAI) method is an environmentally friendly process for in situ upgrading of heavy oils and bitumen via in situ combustion (ISC). Unlike the conventional ISC that uses a vertical producer, the THAI process uses a horizontal producer (HP) well to produce the upgraded oil to the surface. Recent field data has shown that the THAI process is a relatively low-oil-production-rate technology. These considerations call for innovative solutions so that the oil production rate is improved, whilst propagating a stable, efficient, and safe combustion front. Consequently, this work has provided those solutions. Through numerical reservoir simulations, using CMG STARS, five completely new THAI well configurations, which have been labeled A01, A02, A03, A04, and A05, have been developed and studied, and their performances are compared against that of the conventional THAI process which has wells arranged in a classic SLD pattern (i.e. the best-performing conventional THAI process) and against each other. The THAI arrangements A02-A04, however, assume a horizontal air injection well, which currently is not used in field practice but may be developed in the future. In field practice, THAI is applied in a line drive configuration starting up-dip and going down on the structure whilst taking advantage of the contribution provided by the drainage due to gravity; the expansion is made one way only (by drilling new patterns in one direction only). For this reason, the classic SLD pattern refers to the case where the dip of the reservoir is significant (>2–3°). However, when the dip of the reservoir is not significant (“flat” reservoirs) there is a possibility to expand the process in both opposing directions. This is the case dealt with in this work. All configurations A01-A05 assume expansion of the THAI commercial operation in both directions. Selection criteria have been developed and used to determine the two best performing processes. For example, in terms of long-term stability, safety, and efficiency of the combustion process, a process named model A01 is the best, as it achieved 99.8% oxygen utilisation when compared with any other model. It also achieves oil recovery, due to two years of combustion only, of 30.78% OOIP, which is greater than that in the base case model. Overall, based on the weighted selection criteria, which are developed from the deepest analyses of the quantitative 1-dimensional time-dependent parameters and from thorough analyses of the qualitative 2-dimensional profiles of temperature, the combustion zone in the form of oxygen mole fraction, and the oil-flow dynamics inside the reservoir in the form of oil saturation, then model A01 is the best and is followed by model A03. The overall performance of each of these two novel methods outweighs that of the conventional THAI process. However, model A03 uses a horizontal well for injection, which is not current field practice. Therefore, future developmental work should concentrate on the novel method A01 for upgrading and recovery of heavy oils and bitumen, especially since this is low-carbon, efficient, wastewater-free, and provides upgrading inside the reservoir and hence it has a low surface footprint.

Effect of sensitive group-fractions on the generation of volatile products during fast thermal upgrading of Buton oil sand bitumen

Effect of sensitive group-fractions on the generation of volatile products during fast thermal upgrading of Buton oil sand bitumen

Partial upgrading of bitumen with supercritical water— liquid products characteristics, gas composition and coke morphology

The study aimed to investigate the partial upgrading of bitumen in the absence of water (non-water) and the presence of supercritical water (SCW). Partial upgrading experiments were conducted at the target temperature of 420 °C, with the reaction time varying from zero to 60 min in a batch reactor. The liquid products were analyzed for density, viscosity, composition, total acid number (TAN), olefin content, and elemental analysis. The gas composition and morphology of solid products were also studied. The experimental results revealed that while partial upgrading of bitumen with SCW could accelerate improvement in oil quality, particularly in terms of API and viscosity, it concurrently led to elevated gas and coke formation levels. Moreover, the difference in the distribution of oil fractions between the two environments (absence and presence of SCW) tends to diminish with an extended residence time. Additionally, as the residence time increases, the efficiency of TAN reduction under SCW conditions is less pronounced compared to the non-water conditions. Liquid products obtained in an SCW environment exhibited higher olefin content (between 3 and 4 wt %) compared to non-water conditions (between 1.8 and 2.7 wt %). In both environments, the olefin content was initially increased up to a residence time of 20 min and then decreased. Regarding heteroatoms, the sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) contents decreased up to 36 % and 72 %, respectively, while a greater reduction was observed in the presence of SCW. More non-hydrocarbon gases (H2S, CO2 and CO) were produced in the presence of SCW. SEM images showed that an extended residence time led to a shift in coke morphology towards a more uniform and compact structure, regardless of the upgrading environment. However, the porous structures of coke samples obtained under SCW are distinguished from those formed without water, which is attributed to the phase inversion of precursors. The findings of this study confirm that SCW plays a beneficial role as a solvent in the partial upgrading of bitumen, expediting the process. However, the increased level of coke formation and olefin contents suggest that it may not function effectively as a hydrogen donor in the process.

Optimised Condition Catalytic Upgrading of Agbabu Bitumen in the Presence of Rice Husks

Optimised Condition Catalytic Upgrading of Agbabu Bitumen in the Presence of Rice Husks

Effect of fast heating rate and alkaline catalyst on composition and characteristic of volatile products during catalytic upgrading of oil sand bitumen

The study was devoted to exploring the fundamental study on the upgrading of Buton oil sand bitumen (OSB) via fast alkaline catalytic pyrolysis based on the fluid pyrolysis technology. The effect of fast heating rate on the composition and molecular distribution of volatile products from the high-temperature fast pyrolysis of OSB was investigated by Py-GC/TOF-MS that could simulate the fast heating rate of industrial fluid pyrolysis process. The results showed that the volatile products of OSB under heating rates ranging from 10 to 1000 °C/s had the similar species composition. It was found that there were the highest relative content of low-carbon alkenes (C2-C4) and light aromatics (C6-C8) in volatile products under the 1000 °C/s, indicating that the fast heating rate favored the production of light alkenes and aromatics. Subsequently, a laboratory-scale fluidized bed apparatus was employed to further gain insight into fast alkaline catalytic pyrolysis behaviors of OSB. The investigation on the yield distribution, fractional- and molecular-level chemical characteristic of volatile products obtained from the fast alkaline catalytic upgrading of OSB over calcium aluminate was carried out with the aid of the comparison with that over Y zeolite-based FCC catalyst and silica sand. The results revealed that three-phase products over calcium aluminate possessed the larger selectivity of C2−C4 alkenes, larger yield of light oil and the lower coke output, which were 51.88%, 45.49% and 7.96%, respectively. On basis of the chemical structure analysis of liquid products, the alkaline catalytic upgrading of OSB over calcium aluminate could heighten the content of chain alkyl structures as well as alkyl-substituents attached to aromatic ring in liquid products. This indicated that the fast heating rate and alkaline catalyst that adopted in catalytic upgrading process of OSB could play an energetic role in optimizing the composition of volatile products. The alkaline catalytic upgrading of OSB based on fluid pyrolysis technology with the fast heating rate could heighten the yield of low-carbon olefins and light oil and lessen coke yield, meanwhile modify the chemical structure characteristics of liquid products that were conducive to the generation of valuable chemicals (light alkanes and BTX) during secondary processing of liquid products.

Estimating the bioaccessibility of atmospheric trace elements within the Athabasca bituminous sands region using the acid soluble ash fraction of Sphagnum moss

Total concentrations of trace elements in Sphagnum moss increase in concentration with distance toward bitumen mines and upgraders, but their solubility in the ash fraction after leaching in nitric acid is variable.

Spatial variation and chemical reactivity of dusts from open-pit bitumen mining using trace elements in snow

The chemical reactivity of trace elements (TEs) in dusts from bitumen mining, upgrading and related industrial activities in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands region (ABS), Alberta, Canada, was evaluated using the acid-soluble fraction of snow. Samples were collected at 14 sites along the Athabasca River (AR) and its tributaries, and at 3 remote locations. Following metal-free, ultra-clean procedures for processing and analysis, samples were leached with nitric acid (pH < 1), filtered (<0.45 μm), and analyzed using ICP-MS. Insoluble particles (>0.45 μm) were examined using SEM-EDS. Along the river, acid-soluble concentrations of TEs varied by 6 orders of magnitude, from 1 mg/L (Al) to less than 1 ng/L (Tl). Conservative (Al, Y, La, Th) and mobile (Li, Be, Cs, Sr) lithophile elements, those enriched in bitumen (V, Ni, Mo), and potentially toxic chalcophile elements (As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Tl) showed considerable spatial variation. Normalizing the concentrations of TEs in samples collected near industry to the corresponding concentrations in snow from the reference site (UTK), resulted in enrichments of V and most of the lithophile elements. Dust reactivity, quantified as the ratio of acid-soluble to total concentrations, was less than 50% suggesting limited bioaccessibility. The large differences in behaviour between Cd and Pb versus Ni and V could be due to the occurrence of the former pair in carbonate or sulfide minerals, versus acid-insoluble petcoke particles for the latter couple. Spatial variations in the reactivity of TEs most likely reflect the range in diversity and chemical stability of dust particles, and variations in their abundance in primary source areas. The leaching conditions employed here are extreme (pH < 1) and intended to identify an upper limit of chemical reactivity, with far less dust dissolution expected when these dusts encounter natural waters of the area which range in pH from 4 to 8.

Metal-free sampling methods for dust, rainwater, surface water, plants, and sediments: A selection of unique tools from the SWAMP laboratory

Contamination control remains one of the greatest challenges for the reliable determination of many trace elements in environmental samples. Here we describe a series of metal-free sampling devices and tools designed and constructed specifically to minimize the risk of contamination by trace elements during sampling of dust, rainwater, surface water, plants, and sediments. Plastic components fabricated using 3-D printing include polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) and PC with carbon fibre. When additional strength is needed (e.g. supporting structural components), carbon fibre, aluminum (Al), or 316 stainless steel (SS) is used. Other plastics employed include acrylic and vinyl. Epoxy glue or SS may be used for joining components, but do not come into contact with the samples. Ceramic (zirconium dioxide) cutting blades are used where needed. Each plastic material was evaluated for contaminant trace elements by leaching with high purity nitric acid in the metal-free, ultraclean SWAMP laboratory. The devices were tested in the field to evaluate their performance and durability. When combined with appropriate cleaning procedures, the equipment enables ultraclean collection for trace element analysis of environmental media.•Plastic sampling devices were designed and constructed using 3D printing of PLA, PET, PETG or PP.•Leaching characteristics of plastic components were evaluated using high purity nitric acid in a metal-free, ultraclean laboratory.•Each sampling device was successfully field-tested in industrial settings (near open pit bitumen mines and upgraders), and in remote locations of northern Alberta, Canada.

Harnessing the Power of Microwave Irradiation: A Novel Approach to Bitumen Partial Upgrading

The partial upgrading of “tar-like” Canadian bitumen is an essential process to reduce its viscosity to an acceptable range that meets the required pipeline specifications. An innovative and potentially greener solution has emerged in the form of microwave irradiation. This work proposes and demonstrates the use of an electrically powered commercial microwave along with carbon-based microwave susceptors (activated carbon, biochar, coke, and graphite) to promote localized thermal cracking within bitumen at a temperature as low as 150 °C, compared to the conventional method of 400 °C. The remarkable results show that just 0.1 wt% of carbon additives can reduce the viscosity of bitumen by 96% with just 10 min of microwaving at 200 °C. A Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, and Asphaltenes (SARA) analysis reveals that the mass fractions of light components (saturates) are almost doubled and that almost one-third of heavy polar hydrocarbon constituents are cracked and decomposed into much lighter molecules, resulting in higher-quality, less viscous bitumen. Furthermore, this study highlights the key role of the surface area and porosity of the carbon microwave susceptor in absorbing microwave radiation, offering exciting new avenues for optimization. Microwave-assisted partial upgrading of bitumen is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional upgrading, producing upgraded bitumen that requires significantly less diluent at a lower cost prior to pipeline transportation.

Optimization of iron-based catalyst for partial upgrading of Athabasca Bitumen: The role of Fe oxidation state, particle size, and concentration

The present investigation examines the prospective application of Fe-based catalysts for catalyzing the partial upgrading of Athabasca oil sand bitumen, aiming for developing an economically viable and environmentally sustainable process. The primary focus is to analyze the impact of the oxidation state of iron, catalyst particle size, and catalyst concentration on partial upgrading efficiency to optimize bitumen resource utilization without the need of an external source/supply of hydrogen gas using an autoclave reactor. The experimental results demonstrate that Fe-based catalysts, particularly those with lower oxidation states such as FeS, FeO, and Fe3O4, significantly improve the oil quality and reduce bitumen’s viscosity through increasing saturates and substantially reducing the asphaltene fractions. Furthermore, it is also identified that those catalysts can promote hydrogenation and cracking reactions that transform heavier fractions into lighter ones while achieving up to 59% vacuum residue conversion. A comprehensive screening process using Minitab statistical software was made to identify the best catalyst based on the catalyst’s oxidation state, concentration, and particle size range. As a result, Fe3O4 nanoparticles at a 0.5 wt% loading have been identified as the optimal catalyst combination for achieving the maximum liquid yield, while simultaneously producing the minimum asphaltene content, and maximum viscosity reduction. An assessment of the fresh and spent Fe3O4 catalyst yielded valuable insights concerning the catalytic partial upgrading of bitumen, unveiling a reaction mechanism involving iron catalyst sulfidation, desulfurization reactions, CH scission, and hydrocarbon cracking, in addition to the formation of coke. The potential role of various alloy materials employed in the fabrication of reactors for bitumen partial upgrading has also been studied and compared, discussing their unique advantages and limitations in terms of product quality and liquid yield. The findings presented in this study contribute significantly to the development of more efficient and sustainable upgrading processes, paving the way for optimizing catalyst properties for bitumen upgrading applications and providing a valuable perspective on the role of catalysts in the upgrading of heavy oils.

An Analysis of Industrial Policy Mechanisms to Support Commercial Deployment of Bitumen Partial Upgrading in Alberta

Partial upgrading of bitumen (PUB) improves the quality (increases the value) of crude oil from bituminous sands to the level where pipeline specifications are met without—or with reduced use of—costly diluent. By reducing the cost of transportation to downstream refineries, PUB can serve as a solution to market access challenges and takeaway capacity constraints for oil sand producers. However, despite significant government and private investments, proponents in the Canadian province of Alberta still face challenges in commercializing the technology. We used a capacity investment model to explore the expected effects of different policy support types on a firm’s decision to invest in a partial upgrading facility integrated with an existing oil sands extraction facility. We evaluated 10 potential policy interventions and their expected effects on investments in partial upgrading. We focused our analysis of these policy interventions on the revenues and costs of firms, risk sharing, and overall public benefits and costs. We find that the majority of interventions are transferred from government to private interests, with little public benefits. Defensible policy actions include capital investment at the demonstration phase, providing incentives for industry collaboration, equity investment at the commercial stage, and reforming the government’s bitumen valuation methodology.

Real-time monitoring of reaction mechanisms from spectroscopic data using hidden semi-Markov models for mode identification

In this work, we present a framework for process monitoring focusing on the dynamics of reaction mechanisms based purely on online spectroscopic data. This is accomplished by developing an explicit duration hidden semi-Markov model (HSMM) that is used to monitor changes in reaction mechanisms with changing temperatures in a complex reacting system by dynamically identifying groups of spectroscopic samples that belong to a mode, and the mode duration of the reaction mechanism associated with the samples. An expectation maximization algorithm is used for parameter re-estimation, and Viterbi state decoding is used to identify the most likely sequence of hidden states/modes that may have generated the observed sequence of spectra. The reaction mechanism associated with samples of a mode is then deduced by extracting latent features among spectra of the mode and learning a probabilistic graphical structure among the features using Bayesian networks, which represent a network or mechanism of hypothesized reactions. The technique is demonstrated on case studies related to the partial upgrading of bitumen using thermochemical conversion based on the acquisition of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic data. This system is complex enough that prior information regarding both species and reactions is unavailable. Both offline and online monitoring are implemented for mode identification, and the technique provides monitoring of the multi-modal process and, at the same time, provides insight into the chemistry specific to each mode, which makes it useful both for process control and fundamental studies into process chemistry. Synthetic dynamic spectral data, that is derived through interpolation from real spectral data obtained at various static conditions of temperature and residence time, is used in the study.

Insights into in-situ upgrading of bitumen in the hybrid of steam and combustion process: From experimental analysis aspects

In situ combustion (ISC) has been evaluated as a follow up process in the steam injection process for heavy oil and bitumen recovery. Except for providing energy or heat to reduce bitumen viscosity, in situ upgrading of bitumen is another advantage of ISC process. In situ upgrading of bitumen through co-injection of steam and oxygen is evaluated in this work. Three different types of laboratory experiments, including one static thermal cracking experiment, one ramped temperature oxidation (RTO) experiment, and one combustion tube test, were performed to examine the produced oil properties and the potential of bitumen in situ upgrading. A comprehensive analysis of produced oil properties and gas composition was performed. Bitumen was significantly upgraded in the thermal cracking experiment at a temperature of 430 °C, in which Saturates fraction increased to 56%, while Resin and Asphaltene fractions reduced to 6.7% and 6.8%, respectively. The thermal cracking of Resin and Asphaltene contribute to the production of the light oil and gases, leading to the upgrading of the bitumen. Dynamic properties of produced oil were measured in the RTO and combustion tube test in terms of produced oil viscosity, density, boiling point temperature distribution, and produced oil compositions, etc. In the RTO test, the extent of bitumen upgrading is greater with the increase of temperature, further proving that the high temperature generated by the combustion front is able to effectively crack the bitumen. Furthermore, the lack of light hydrocarbon in the produced oil indicates light hydrocarbon participates in the high temperature oxidation reactions. Different from thermal cracking experiment and RTO test results, combustion tube test results indicated that the bitumen was slightly upgraded in late stage of the combustion tube test and most produced bitumen are similar with original bitumen. By examining the temperature distribution along the combustion tube, it is found that upgraded bitumen cannot be effectively displaced to the producer. This implies the limitation of in situ upgrading in the conventional in situ combustion process. Proper well configuration was recommended for the future field application of the hybrid steam and combustion process to achieve the high oil recovery factor and partial in situ upgrading of bitumen.

The development of a techno-economic model for the assessment of vanadium recovery from bitumen upgrading spent catalyst

Spent catalyst from bitumen upgrading contains a substantial amount of vanadium. Recovering this vanadium can contribute to meeting the global demand. However, there are no studies on the economic feasibility of vanadium recovery plants, which is critical for decision makers. In this research, a techno-economic assessment of a vanadium recovery process was performed to bridge that gap. Data intensive process models were developed to understand the mass and energy balances of the vanadium recovery process. Capital and operating costs were estimated from material and energy balances. The recovery cost of vanadium was estimated using the developed techno-economic models, including the revenue for selling the co-products and by-products of the process. The economies of the scale and the effect of co-product and by-product selling price on the vanadium recovery cost were also studied. We found that for a plant capacity of 30,000 tonnes of spent catalyst per year, the vanadium recovery cost is $9.89/kg V2O5. For a market price of $12.00/kg V2O5, the minimum profitable capacity is about 22,400 tonnes of spent catalyst per year, and molybdenum trioxide is the co-product whose selling price has the most influence on the vanadium recovery cost. The results show that for spent catalyst generated in bitumen upgrading operations, the recovery of vanadium is potentially profitable considering the current vanadium market price. The developed information is useful for the decision makers in making investment decisions and policy formulation.

Microsatellite mutation frequencies in river otters (Lontra Canadensis) from the Athabasca Oil Sands region are correlated to polycyclic aromatic compound tissue burden.

Mining activities in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) have contributed to an increase of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) locally. However, many PACs found in the AOSR, and the combined effects of PAC mixtures have not been evaluated for genotoxicity in wildlife. Here, we examine whether mutation frequencies in AOSR river otters are correlated to PAC tissue burdens. We used single-molecule polymerase chain reaction (SM-PCR) to measure the mutant frequency of unstable DNA microsatellite loci in the bone marrow of wild river otters (n=11) from the AOSR. Microsatellite mutation frequencies were regressed against liver PAC burden (total, low/high molecular weight [LMW/HMW], and parent/alkylated PACs), and to the distances from where the samples were collected to nearby bitumen upgraders. We found that microsatellite mutation frequency was positively correlated with total liver PAC burden. LMW and alkylated PACs were detected at higher levels and had a stronger positive relationship with mutation frequency than HMW (alkylated and parent) PACs. There were no significant relationships detected between mutation frequency and LMW parent PACs or the distance from bitumen upgraders. Furthermore, pyrogenic and petrogenic signatures suggest PACs in animals with high mutation frequencies were associated with combustion processes; although further investigation is warranted, due to limitations of diagnostic ratio determination with biotic models. Our findings support the hypothesis that PACs found in the AOSR increase mutation frequency in wildlife. Further investigation is required to determine if the elevated PAC levels associated with higher mutation frequency are due to natural exposure or elevated human activity.

Spatiotemporal variations of total and dissolved trace elements and their distributions amongst major colloidal forms along and across the lower Athabasca River

With a wide variety of natural and potential anthropogenic inputs, the Athabasca River (AR) has been the focus of recent attention. In addition to natural inputs of trace elements (TEs) from tributaries, industrial activities such as mining and upgrading of bitumen have been viewed as additional, potentially important anthropogenic sources, but evidence is limited. To quantify the spatiotemporal variations of TE concentrations and their forms, water samples were gathered along a 125-km stretch of the river from upstream to downstream of the industrial region, and at three points across the river, along five transects perpendicular to the flow. The samples were collected in the autumn of 2017 and the spring of 2018, using novel, metal-free sampling methods. The concentrations of total (i.e. acid-extractable), and dissolved (i.e., < 0.45 µm) TEs were measured to compare with water quality guidelines, and their size-based distribution amongst major colloidal forms was determined to better assess their biological significance. The results quantify spatiotemporal variation in total and dissolved concentrations of TEs along and across the AR. In both seasons the majority of TEs occurred in the particulate fraction. None of the TEs were significantly enriched in the particulate fraction, relative to crustal abundance. The average concentrations of TEs were below the CCME surface water quality guidelines. The PCA analysis identifies tributary contributions of total and dissolved TEs to the AR.

Environmental significance of trace elements in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands: facts and misconceptions.

The bituminous sands of Alberta, Canada, represent the second largest reserves of hydrocarbons on earth. Open pit bitumen mining and upgrading of the Athabasca Bituminous Sands (ABS), the largest of the deposits, began in 1967. Concerns about fugitive release of trace elements (TEs) to the environment began with studies of V, as this is the most abundant trace metal in bitumen. Recent studies, however, have extended to Ag, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Tl, and this has led to considerable confusion about which TEs are relevant to ecosystem health. While V along with Ni, Mo, Se and Re are enriched in bitumen, Ag, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb and Tl are found almost exclusively in the mineral (i.e. sand) fraction of the ABS, with limited opportunity to become bioaccessible, much less bioavailable. Here, a summary is given of ten misunderstandings that have arisen regarding TEs in the environment of the ABS region. To help illustrate the significance of the misconceptions that have arisen regarding (a) air and (b) water resources, published and unpublished TE data obtained from the metal-free, ultraclean SWAMP lab is presented for: (a) snow, moss, and peat cores from bogs, and (b) the dissolved, particulate, and colloidal fractions of water from the Athabasca River (AR), as well as pristine groundwater. Natural enrichments of Ni in plants such as Rat Root (Acorus calamus) and pine (Pinus banksiana), Tl in fish (Percopsis omiscomaycus) and Cd in cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccus), Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) and beaver (Castor canadensis), are also presented.

Size-fractionation of trace elements in dusty snow from open pit bitumen mines and upgraders: collection, handling, preparation and analysis of samples from the Athabasca bituminous sands region of Alberta, Canada

A robust sample handling, processing and analytical method was developed for reliable determination of 40 TEs in dusty snow. The “dissolved” TEs in snow from the ABS region were extremely low, and TEs were almost exclusively found in the particulate fraction.

Insights into In-Situ Upgrading of Bitumen in the Hybrid of Steam and Combustion Process: From Experimental Analysis Aspects

Insights into In-Situ Upgrading of Bitumen in the Hybrid of Steam and Combustion Process: From Experimental Analysis Aspects