Autoxidation for pre-refining of oil sands

• Author / Creator

  Javadli, Rashad

• Oxidative desulfurization of oil sands bitumen as pre-refining methodology to improve bitumen quality in the absence of catalysts was studied. It has potential advantages such as employing a cheap reagent (air) and moderate processing conditions (<180 °C, autogenous pressure). The specific aims of our research were: (a) To establish whether autoxidation followed by aqueous extraction is able to efficiently desulfurize bitumen; (b) To establish whether autoxidation conducted in the presence of a diluent is necessary to limit bitumen hardening as a result of free radical addition reactions; (c) To establish whether autoxidation is selective enough toward organosulfur compounds, because it is undesirable to cause extensive hydrocarbon oxidation; and (d) To establish whether autoxidation reactions are more efficient < 150 °C or in the temperature range 150-180 °C, which reportedly results in selective autoxidation. These questions were addressed and best sulphur removal obtained was 46-47 %.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Bitumen

• Graduation date

  Fall 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3D132

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.