Batch sedimentation in an impulsively heated system

• Batch sedimentation in an impulsively heated system is central to current SAGD and future GD processes.
• Sedimentation of particles in a heated system is dependent on the particle concentration.
• Correlations for sedimentation rate as a function of particle concentration and temperature are presented.

Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) has become the standard for separating heavy oil from tar sands. The separation process requires massive amount of heat to reduce the viscosity of the suspending fluid thereby increasing sedimentation rates of the solid component. The goal of this paper is to provide analytical data generated by both experiments and theoretical studies for the effects of initial particle concentration and impulsive heating temperature on mass and energy transport in a model heavy oil-sand suspension. Experiments are performed using a viscous-suspending liquid of kinematic viscosity ν=1000ν=1000 cSt with particle concentrations ϕ0=0.20,0.40ϕ0=0.20,0.40 and 0.50 (volume/volume), and temperature range 100°C

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide