Determination of the most effective technology for reducing process-affected water inventories and Athabasca River water dependence for Fort McMurray oil sand operators.

摘要

Process-affected water resulting from oil sands mining operations in Fort McMurray, Alberta has been a topic of interest due to the potential adverse environmental impacts via storage in tailings ponds and end pit lakes, potential environmental liability and possible local water contamination. Process-affected water, if released untreated, poses a potential risk to human and environmental health, and requires indefinite on-site storage. The primary objective of this study is to analyze a suite of technologies available to treat process-affected water and then to determine the most effective method for reducing process-affected water inventories in oil sands operations. What is the best method for treating process-affected water for recycling and contributing to increasing sustainable development in the oil sands mines of Northern Alberta?;Keywords: oil sands, process-affected water, Athabasca