Program ID: Innovation Anthology #155
Program Date: 07/29/2008
Program Category: Chemistry, Energy, Nanotechnology, Natural Resources, Technology
Oil Sands Benefit from New Molecular Sieves
The current process for separating oil from oil sands requires huge volumes of water.
But that may change thanks to the research of Dr. Steve Kuznicki at the Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation.(COSI)
Dr. Kuznicki is a specialist in new molecular sieves. These are crystals, both natural and man-made, that separate molecules.
Dr. Kuznicki’s new sieve is made from thin slices of volcanic rock that are heated in the presence of oil sand.
DR. STEVE KUSZNICKI: First of all, the bitumen sticks to the surfaces and starts breaking, just as it would on a cracking catalyst. Now the net result of this is that you can take the bitumen in oil sand, selectively break the heavy molecules, the asphaltenes. And now that they’re broken you can remove the oil that’s now cracked, using a light hydrocarbon like hexane or pentane without the need for water.
Because hexane and pentane can be processed on site, Dr. Kuznicki says this waterless extraction process becomes a self-renewing cycle. And the environmental benefit is enormous.
Thanks today to Alberta Ingenuity
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I'M CHERYL CROUCHER
Images
Dr. Steve Kuznicki
