Non-thermal Recovery of Bitumen using Cyclic Surfactant Solubilization

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dc.contributor.advisorKostarelos, Konstantinos
dc.contributor.committeeMemberRimer, Jeffrey D.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberPalmer, Jeremy C.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberFarouq Ali, S. M.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberSoliman, Mohamed Y.
dc.creatorSharma, Pushpesh
dc.creator.orcid0000-0003-0650-101X
dc.date.accessioned2020-01-04T03:08:00Z
dc.date.createdMay 2019
dc.date.issued2019-05
dc.date.submittedMay 2019
dc.date.updated2020-01-04T03:08:00Z
dc.description.abstractNatural bitumen and extra heavy oil resources accounts for approximately two-thirds of the known fossil fuel resources in the world. Existing recovery processes for these resources have been criticized for their negative impact on the environment. This study presents a novel approach - cyclic surfactant solubilization. The process involves solubilizing heavy oil in a low viscosity single phase microemulsion using a surfactant formulation. The surfactant formulation can be recovered for reinjection after oil separation and recovery. It is a non-thermal sustainable approach. Initially, a proof-of-concept study was conducted using a model oil, namely coal tar. Based on phase behavior studies a suitable surfactant formulation was selected and flow experiments were conducted. The study established that oil recovery is possible by producing only single phase microemulsion. The next step was to apply the process on real field samples. Oil sands samples were acquired from Alberta, Canada for that purpose. Bitumen was extracted from the sand to perform oil characterization and phase behavior studies. However, flow experiments performed with the selected surfactant formulation did not yield expected results, which led to phase behavior experiments with oil sands instead of extracted oil. The formulation was optimized based on these observations and a set of flow experiments were conducted which resulted in improved recoveries. A part of the cyclic surfactant solubilization process is surfactant recovery and recycle. This study also explores various pathways to achieve this. The economics of the process may be improved with the development of surfactant recovery processes. A green alternative to recover bitumen from these resources is key for fulfilling future energy demands and for keeping climate change in check. The cyclic surfactant solubilization process provides a feasible low-energy alternative to thermal processes especially in countries like Venezuela and Canada, where majority of fossil fuel resources are available in the form of natural bitumen or extra heavy oil.
dc.description.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of
dc.format.digitalOriginborn digital
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationPortions of this document appear in: Sharma, Pushpesh, Konstantinos Kostarelos, and Sujeewa S. Palayangoda. "Hydrocarbon Recovery From Oil Sands by Cyclic Surfactant Solubilization in Single-Phase Microemulsions." Journal of Energy Resources Technology 141, no. 8 (2019): 085001.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/5759
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. UH Libraries has secured permission to reproduce any and all previously published materials contained in the work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).
dc.subjectBitumen
dc.subjectExtra Heavy Oil
dc.subjectSingle Phase microemulsion
dc.subjectCyclic surfactant solubilization
dc.subjectCSS
dc.subjectSurfactant recovery
dc.subjectNon-thermal
dc.subjectSustainability
dc.titleNon-thermal Recovery of Bitumen using Cyclic Surfactant Solubilization
dc.type.dcmiText
dc.type.genreThesis
local.embargo.lift2021-05-01
local.embargo.terms2021-05-01
thesis.degree.collegeCullen College of Engineering
thesis.degree.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of
thesis.degree.disciplineChemical Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Houston
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy

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