Disposal of sulphur and salt in mined out pit at Syncrude.

摘要

Disposal of sulphur and salt produced as by-products of bitumen upgrading and recycled water treatment is a challenge facing the oil and gas industry. Feasibility of permanently sequestering the salt within solid elemental sulphur was evaluated through an elaborate testing program as well as through use of an analytical model. Tests were performed to observe the flow behavior of molten sulphur as well as salt mixed with molten sulphur.; If the temperature of either the sulphur or outside air increases, the significant flow length increases. The concentration of the deposited salt was enhanced near the discharge outlet and the concentration dispersed at the limits of flow deposit. Segregation of salt near the flow outlet dictates the flow behavior of the combined sulphur and salt mixture. A field disposal option recommends use of a central discharge that would encapsulate the salt within the central core of the block as the molten sulphur solidifies.