Experimental and numerical studies on production scheme to improve energy efficiency of bitumen production through insitu oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion

Emulsification involving dispersion of bitumen droplets in a continuous aqueous phase (as oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion), is an efficient method of reducing the viscosity. The objective of this research is to harness the potential of insitu emulsification for production of bitumen to improve energy efficiency. Thus, O/W emulsion was prepared using poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) surfactant (with NaOH and ethanol additivities) at different ratios of bitumen: PVA solution viz. 70:30 (RX1), 55:45 (RX2), 40:60 (RX3). The data was incorporated in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to obtain emulsification reaction parameters at different temperatures (30-150 degrees C). Subsequently, numerical simulation considering insitu formation of O/W emulsion was performed at different injection temperatures (50, 100, and 150 degrees C). The results were compared with those of conventional steam injection at 215 degrees C. Significant viscosity reduction of bitumen was obtained from emulsification experiments. From numerical simulation, the proposed method resulted in higher oil: steam ratio (OSR) compared with steam injection method. Ultimately, with reference to steam injection (thermal efficiency, Delta E-eff = 0.02 m(3)/GJ; net bitumen production = 692 m(3)), the most promising operation is the production from RX3, at 150 degrees C, with thermal efficiency, Delta E-eff = 0.04 m(3)/GJ, and 649 m(3) net bitumen production. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.