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A Visual Study of High Grade Oil Sand Disintegration Process
1Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G6, Canada
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|December 16, 1998
Summary
Microscopic observation of oil sand disintegration reveals that bitumen droplets on sand grains exhibit similar static contact angles as those on glass surfaces in an aqueous environment. This validates laboratory experiments on bitumen displacement.
Area of Science:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Surface Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Oil sands processing involves understanding bitumen behavior at interfaces.
- Laboratory experiments require validation through direct observation.
- Bitumen displacement and droplet formation are key phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To observe and validate laboratory findings on oil sand disintegration.
- To compare bitumen droplet behavior on sand grains versus glass surfaces.
- To determine the static contact angle of bitumen on sand grains.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic observation at 320x magnification.
- Simulating bitumen displacement by water on sand grains.
- Formation and imaging of bitumen droplets on sand and glass.
Main Results:
- Bitumen film on sand grains was displaced by water, forming droplets.
- Photographs captured the bitumen/water/sand contact line and droplets.
- Static contact angles of bitumen droplets on sand grains matched those on glass at pH 9.
Conclusions:
- Microscopic observations validate laboratory experiments on bitumen displacement.
- Bitumen droplet behavior on sand grains is comparable to that on glass surfaces.
- The study provides visual evidence for interfacial phenomena in oil sands.