Oil Emulsion Separation Process Overview

What is the main reason why bitumen must be heated before it can flow?

To increase its viscosity

Which method is commonly used to extract heavy crude bitumen in a fully underground process?

Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD)

What role do Power Engineers primarily play in the extraction of heavy oil from oil sands?

Operating steam boilers and oil processing facilities

Why are SAGD and CSS methods used when bitumen is located deep underground?

To make the extraction process economical Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) in the extraction process?

To lower the viscosity of bitumen for extraction Signup and view all the answers

Why are Power Engineers almost exclusively responsible for operating steam boilers in the extraction process?

Because high-pressure steam is used in the processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using WAC and SAC units in the SAGD and CSS facilities?

To convert hardness into sodium compounds for boiler feedwater Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the economic viability of a SAGD or CSS facility?

Steam to oil ratio (SOR) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for SAGD facilities to maintain their steam to oil ratio (SOR) within a certain range?

To prevent the plant from becoming uneconomical Signup and view all the answers

Why are SAGD and CSS facilities increasingly using brackish water as makeup water?

Due to environmental regulations restricting the use of fresh water Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of lime softeners in SAGD facilities?

To make brackish water suitable for boiler feed Signup and view all the answers

Why do SAGD facilities monitor their environmental emissions closely?

To meet operating license agreement requirements Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for using once-through steam generators (OTSGs) in SAGD plants?

To allow for easy cleaning using mechanical methods Signup and view all the answers

Why are separators installed in the steam lines of OTSGs used in SAGD?

To dry the wet steam to near 100% dry and saturated Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of injecting high temperature steam into oil sands formations in SAGD?

To allow bitumen to flow by reducing its viscosity Signup and view all the answers

How does Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) differ from SAGD in terms of recovery process?

SAGD uses a continuous recovery process while CSS uses staged cycles Signup and view all the answers

Why is CSS considered superior to SAGD for extracting bitumen in deeper oil sands reservoirs?

CSS can handle higher pressure steam in deep reservoirs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the shale 'cap' mentioned in CSS?

To contain the high-pressure steam injected during CSS Signup and view all the answers

Why does the emulsion returning from producer wellheads need to be separated at the plant site?

To recover water for boiler feed and produce sales-quality bitumen Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes CSS from SAGD based on steam injection?

SAGD injects wet steam at higher temperatures than CSS Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a knockout vessel in the oil separation process?

To separate free water from bitumen and emulsion Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of diluent when added to bitumen?

To make bitumen less viscous Signup and view all the answers

Why is magnesium oxide added to the softener in the water treatment process?

To prevent scale formation on boiler passes Signup and view all the answers

What is the final water content in the sales dilbit after passing through the treater vessel?

About 0.5% water Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves blowing natural gas through produced water to form oil froth?

Water De-Oiling Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of induced gas flotation (IGF) vessel in the de-oiling process?

To clean water by forming oil froth Signup and view all the answers

Why are weak-acid cation exchangers (WAC units) preferred over strong acid cation exchangers (SAC units) in the water treatment process?

WAC units prevent scaling in boilers Signup and view all the answers