AUTOMATED METHOD FOR MEASURING THE SOLUBILITY BLENDING NUMBERS OF NON-SOLVENT OILS BY HEPTANE DILUTION

摘要

Currently most of the bitumen produced in Alberta by Steam AssistednGravity Drainage (SAGD) technology is diluted with differentndiluentsatural gas condensate (NGC) and transported via pipeline tonrefineries. It is projected that bitumen production will reach approximately 3nmillion barrels per day by the year 2020 and there could be a shortage ofndiluent for bitumen transportation (1). Approximately 30 vol% diluent isnneeded to be blended with bitumen to meet pipeline specification for densityn(940 kg/m3) and viscosity (350 cSt at average annual temperature of 11.9noC). The quality of diluents and NGC should be such that when blendednwith bitumen or heavy oils, no solid asphaltenes precipitate, i.e., totallyncompatible. Aromatic hydrocarbons increase asphaltene solubility; whetherntheir presence in diluents is absolutely necessary is the subject of othernresearch being conducted at CanmetENERGY. Nevertheless, what is certainnis that the shortage of diluent for bitumen blending and transportation couldnbe addressed by imported diluents supplied from refinery streams. Some ofnthese streams will be paraffinic in nature and are considered to be nonsolventnoils (i.e. potential asphaltenes precipitation when added to bitumen).