Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: Comparison with Conventional Crude February 4, 2015.

Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment:

Comparison with Conventional Crude

February 4, 2015

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AI-EES Mandate and Goal

• “……research, innovation and technology implementation arm of the Government of Alberta ministries in energy and environment”

• Develop solutions for the key technical challenges facing Alberta’s energy, environment and water sectors

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AI-EES Strategic Focus

EnergyTechnologies

• Advanced Recovery• Partial Upgrading• Value Added

Water & EnvironmentalManagement

• Water Resources • Water Use CEP• Tailings Reclamation• Land Management• GHG Capture/Utilization

Renewable &Emerging

Technologies

• Renewables• Waste-to-Energy• Green the Grid

Market Access

Sustainable

production

Climate change

Social Licence

Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Transmission Pipelines

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Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment, Compared with Conventional Crude:

AI-EES’s Objectives

• Understand the fate and behavior of diluted bitumen in freshwater environment compared to conventional crudes

• Understand the environmental impacts of diluted bitumen in freshwater environment compared to conventional crudes

• Inform policy makers and regulators to effectively prepare for emergency and response in case of diluted bitumen spills

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Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: AI-EES Approach (Foci)

1.CompositionalComparison

3. Lab Testing:Biological

2. Lab Testing: Chemi-physical

4. Spill Case Comparisons

Insight andUnderstanding

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1. Compositional Comparison• 10 diluted bitumen compared with 25 conventional crudes, all

from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB)

• Actual QA data over 5 years, over 8,000 data points

• All data comes from www.crudemonitor.ca;

• Conventional crudes: light, medium, & heavy

• Dilluted bitumen:• Dilbit: bitumen + diluent

• Synbit: bitumen + synthetic sweet crude (SCO)

• Dilsynbit: synbit + diluent

http://www.crudemonitor.ca/

1. Compositional Comparison:ID of the Crudes

Diluted Bitumen DB1 Access Western BlendDB2 Borealis Heavy BlendDB3 Christina Dilbit BlendDB4 Cold LakeDB5 Kearl LakeDB6 Western Canadian SelectDB7 Statoil Cheecham SynbitDB8 Surmont Heavy BlendDB9 Synbit BlendDB10 Albian Heavy Synthetic

LC1 BC Light LC2 Boundary LakeLC3 Gibson Light SourLC4 Koch AlbertaLC5 Moose Jaw TopsLC6 Pembina Light SourLC7 Light Sour BlendLC8 Mixed Sweet BlendLC9 Rainbow

MC1 Hardisty LightMC2 Medium Gibson SourMC3 MidaleMC4 Peace Pipe SourMC5 Medium Sour Blend

HC1 Bow River NorthHC2 Bow River SouthHC3 FostertonHC4 Lloyd BlendHC5 Lloyd KerrobertHC6 Seal HeavyHC7 Smiley-ColevilleHC8 Wabasca HeavyHC9 Western Canadian BlendHC10 Conventional HeavyHC11 Premium Conventional Heavy

Conventional Heavy

Conventional Medium

Conventional Light

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1. Compositional Comparison:Properties Compared

• Density and API Gravity

• Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene, Xylene (BTEX)

• Sulphur and Total Acid Number (TAN)

• Metals: Nickel and Vanadium

LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

800

820

840

860

880

900

920

940

960

Density

Light Conventional Medium Conventional Heavy Conventional Diluted Bitumen

Den

sity

(kg/

m3)

1. Compositional Comparison:Density

Density of diluted bitumen is higher than those of conventional light and medium but similar to that of conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Gravity


Gra

vity

(° A

PI)

1. Compositional Comparison:Gravity

API gravity of diluted bitumen is lower than those of conventional light and medium but similar to that of conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

Benzene


Benz

ene

(vol

%)

1. Compositional Comparison:Benzene

Benzene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

Toluene


Tolu

ene

(vol

%)

1. Compositional Comparison: Toluene

Toluene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

Ethylbenzene


Ethy

lben

zene

(vol

%)

1. Compositional Comparison:Ethylbenzene

Ethylbenzene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

Xylene


Xyle

ne (v

ol%

)

1. Compositional Comparison:Xylene

Xylene content in diluted bitumen is generally lower than those in conventional light and medium and similar to that in conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0

1

2

3

4

5

Sulphur


Sulp

hur (

wt%

)

1. Compositional Comparison:Sulphur

Sulphur content of diluted bitumen is higher than those of conventional light and medium but similar to that of conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Total Acid Number


TAN

(mgK

OH

/g)

1. Compositional Comparison:Total Acid Number (TAN)

TAN of diluted bitumen is generally higher than those in conventional crudes but in the similar range for conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Nickel


Nic

kel (

mg/

L)

1. Compositional ComparisonNickel

Nickel content in diluted bitumen is generally higher than those in conventional light and medium, and similar to that in conventional heavy

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LC1

LC2

LC3

LC4

LC5

LC6

LC7

LC8

LC9

MC1

MC2

MC3

MC4

MC5

HC1

HC2

HC3

HC4

HC5

HC6

HC7

HC8

HC9

HC1

0H

C11

DB1

DB2

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

DB9

DB1

0

0

50

100

150

200

250

Vanadium


Vana

dium

(mg/

L)

1. Compositional Comparison:Vanadium

Vanadium content in diluted bitumen is generally higher than those in conventional light and medium, and similar to that in conventional heavy

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1. Compositional Comparison:Summary and Implication

Summary of Observation Implication

Density and API gravity of diluted bitumen are similar to conventional heavy; density is less than 0.940

Diluted bitumen will stay afloat in freshwater before weathering and/or contacted by sediments

BTEX contents in diluted bitumen are generally lower than in conventional light and medium and similar to those in conventional heavy

Diluted bitumen may have less health hazard to emergency response workers and residents around a spill, and lower acute toxicity to aquatic life than a conventional crude spill

Sulphur and TAN contents in diluted bitumen are generally higher than those in conventional crudes but in the similar range for conventional heavy

More organic acids would dissolve into water from diluted bitumen than from conventional light and medium, but similar to conventional heavy

Nickel and vanadium contents in diluted bitumen are generally higher than those in conventional light and medium, and similar to that in conventional heavy

More nickel and vanadium would dissolve into water from diluted bitumen than from conventional light and medium, but similar to conventional heavy

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• Crudes used for testing: Cold Lake dilbit winter blend (CLWB) and a conventional light, Alberta Sweet Blend (ASB)

• Water and sediment sources: North Saskatchewan river in Edmonton, Alberta

2. Chemi-Physical Lab Testing

2.1 Evaporative weathering (Dr. Harvey Yarranton, University of Calgary, UofC), http://ai-ees.ca/media/13165/weather_tests_for_dilbit_films_reprot_final.pdf

submitted to Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology.

2.2 Low energy weathering in “fish tanks” (Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, AITF), being finalized.

2.3 High energy weathering (Dr. Heather Dettman, CanmetEnergy), in progress.

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http://ai-ees.ca/media/13165/weather_tests_for_dilbit_films_reprot_final.pdf

http://ai-ees.ca/media/13165/weather_tests_for_dilbit_films_reprot_final.pdf

2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC)

• Dilbit film thickness, 1.6 – 5.4 mm, with or without water at base

• 7 cm diameter dishes

• Temperature: 5 - 60°C

• Duration: most for 10 days, up to 60 days

tray

water bath

dish

portable fume hood

air in

vent

snorkel

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• Dilbit evaporation in 10 days: less than 20% (diluent in CLWB is 30%)

• Evaporative weathering of dilbit is slower than commonly assumed

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 100 200 300

Perc

en

t E

vap

ora

tio

n

Time, hours

CLWB 25 C

CLWB 15 C

CLWB 5 C

curve fit

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 100 200 300P

erc

en

t E

vap

ora

tio

n

Time, hours

curve fit

ASB 25 C

ASB 15 C

ASB 5 C

Dilbit

Light Crude

Evaporation as function of temperature and time

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• Density changes in dilbit and light crude are relatively small in weathering

• Density of dilbit never reached 1.000 in 10 days

• Dilbit experienced 500 times increase in viscosity in 10 days

Density and Viscosity Changes during Weathering

800

850

900

950

1000

0 10 20 30 40 50

Den

sit

y a

t 20C, kg

/m³

Percent Evaporation

CLWB 5 CCLWB 15 CCLWB 25 CASB 5 CASB 15 CASB 25 Cfit

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

0 10 20 30 40

VIs

co

sit

y a

t 24�C

, m

Pa

.sPercent Evaporation

CLWB

ASB

Density Viscosity

25

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2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC):Key Observations and Implications

• Evaporative weathering of dilbit is much slower than conventional light crude Lower health hazards

• About 1/3 diluent remains in dilbit after 10 days; density of dilbit approaches 1.000 kg/m3 in 60 days at 60⁰C In absence of sediments, dilbit can stay afloat for 10 - 30 days

• Dilbit experienced 500 times increase in viscosity in 10 days dilbit recovery should be less difficult than light crude recovery before submerge or sinking

2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)• Running time: 10 days for

each run• Temperature: 15°C• Video recorded• Vapor and water

compositions monitored

Tank Dimensions Length: 119.4 cmWidth: 58.4 cmHeight: 59.7 cm

Dilbit or Light OilSurface area: 6974.2 cm2Layer thickness: 5.0 mmVolume: 3.5 litres

Run Condition

Air circulation

Water circulation

Sediments

1 Stagnant 0 LPM 2 GPM No

2 Dynamic 40 LPM 9 GPM No

3 Dynamic 40 LPM 9 GPM Yes

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2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)

Condition 1: StagnantLight Crude Oil - Day 1

Dilbit - Day 10 Dilbit - Day 1

Light Crude Oil - Day 10

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2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)Condition 2: Dynamic, no sediments




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2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF)Condition 3: Dynamic, with sediments


Light Crude Oil - Day 1 Light Crude Oil - Day 10

2.2 Low Energy Weathering (AITF): Summary

• Submerged oil not observed under the studied low-energy condition

• Adding sediments did promote settling of conventional crude and dilbit; more oil was found in the sediments exposed to conventional crude (0.19% oil) than that to dilbit (0.08% oil)

• Dissolved hydrocarbon is higher in water in contact with dilbit than that in contact with conventional crude

• In low energy environment, no significant difference in behavior between dilbit and conventional light crude

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• Crudes used for testing: Cold Lake dilbit (CLWB), a conventional light, Alberta Sweet Blend (ASB), and a conventional medium, Medium Sour Blend

3. Biological Lab Testing (UofA and UofL): in progress

3.1 Toxicity assessment of dilbit in comparison to conventional crudes (Dr. Keith Tierney, UofA), in progress

3.2 Riparian vegetation (Dr. Steward Rood, UofL), completed, manuscript being prepared

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4. Spill Case Comparison: in progress

• Marshall, Michigan vs. Red Deer River, Alberta• Dilbit vs. conventional crude• Both took place in early summer with high flow• Submerged dilbit/oil found in both cases• Gaseous hydrocarbon (BTEX) was found

problematic for both emergency

Martin Bundred, Consequence Manager of the Alberta Environment Support and Emergency Response Team (ASERT)

Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: Key Learning to Date

• Diluted bitumen will stay afloat in freshwater, before contacted by sediments, for at least 10 days and likely much longer. No submerged oil or dilbit have been observed when no contact with sediments.

• When contacted, both conventional light oil and dilbit will be adsorbed on sediments in low-energy environment

• Health hazard to emergency response workers and residents around a diluted bitumen spill would be less or at least no worse than that from a conventional crude spill

• More organic acids would dissolve into water from diluted bitumen than from conventional light and medium, but similar to conventional heavy

• Dilbit experienced 500 times increase in viscosity in 10 days. This should make dilbit recovery easier than light crude recovery

• Current understanding indicates that emergency response procedures for conventional oil spills should be sufficient for dilbit spills.

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Acknowledgements

• Vicki Lightbown and Dr. Brett Purdy, AI-EES

• Dr. Heather Dettman, CanmetEnergy

• Dr. Harvey Yarranton, University of Calgary

• Gerard Morrison and Harry Tsaprailis, AITF

• Amar Bokhari, Alberta Energy

• Martin Bundred, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

• Dr. Keith Tierney, University of Alberta

• Dr. Stew Rood, University of Lethbridge

• Dr. Bruce Hollebone, Environment Canada

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Contact

John Zhou, Ph.D., P.Geol.Executive Director, Water and Environmental Management

Alberta Innovates Energy and Environment Solutions (AI-EES)[email protected]

www.albertainnovates.ca780-422-8853 (O)

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.albertainnovates.ca/

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• Diluent evaporation will only reach completion (30% in CLWB) in 60 days at 60°C

Evaporation as function of temperature and time

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0 500 1000 1500

Perc

en

t E

vap

ora

tio

n

Time (hr)

5.4 mm, 15 C5.4 mm, 35 C5.4 mm, 60 C5.0 mm, 25 C5.0 mm, 25 C5.0 mm, 60 C

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2.1 Evaporative Weathering (UofC)Evaporative Weathering with/without Water at

the Base: Little Effect

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0 100 200 300

Perc

en

t E

va

po

rati

on

Time, hours

CLWB base

CLWB water

ASB base

ASB water

40 40

2.3 High Energy Weathering (CanmetEnergy)

• Dr. Heath Dettman, Senior Chemist, CanmetEnergy

Effect of Diluted Bitumen on Freshwater Environment: Comparison with Conventional Crude February 4, 2015.

Documents

effect of diluted bitumen

conventional crudes

behavior of diluted

heavy dilluted bitumen

case of diluted bitumen

compositional comparison

bitumen diluent synbit

freshwater environment