Oil Sands

Intense efforts are under way to mine and separate the oil from the oil sands and convert it into a usable form of crude oil. These operations are generally divided into two types:

• Mining/extraction that uses a froth treatment method;
• In-situ Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), where steam is pumped underground to lower the bitumen viscosity so it can be pumped to the surface. The recovered bitumen requires additional processing before it can be sent to a conventional refinery. This is accomplished in the Oil Sands Upgraders that convert the tar-like bitumen into sweet light crude oil.
  

A number of challenges are present in these processes, one of which is a fundamental need for improved separations technologies. In particular, the rapid expansion of industry has stressed the region's water sources. Efficient use and recycling of this precious natural resource is a priority. Pall's experience in filtration, separation, and purification is being applied to Oil Sands operations throughout Western Canada. Pall has a special interest in the environment and is constantly searching for new ways to use and replenish the world's most precious resource - water.

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Process Engineering as Pall Corporation representative offers a wide range of Pall technologies and services including:

Products and Services:

• Amine and sulphur plant reliability program
  
• AquaSep® liquid/liquid coalescers and PhaseSep® liquid/liquid coalescers
  
• Automated backwash filtration systems
• Lucid^TM separator 
• Marksman^TM high capacity filters 
• Pall Aria^TM microfiltration and reverse osmosis water systems 
• Process auditing, troubleshooting, and training
  
• SepraSol^TM liquid/gas coalescers 
• Ultipleat® high flow filters
  

Applications:

• Amine and sulphur plant reliability program
  
• Boiler feed water - generate from river water
  
• Coker gas oil  - extend life of hydrotreater catalyst by removing solid contaminants
• Compressor outlet gas filtration
• Compressor protection
• Gasification - hot gas filters/candles
  
• Hydrocarbon steam stripping - remove condensed water
  
• Low NOx burners - protect from solid and liquid aerosols
  
• Potable water for camps and plant site
  
• Process analyzer filters and coalescers
  
• Sour water stripper - reduce fouling by removing solids and oil contaminants
  
• "Steam assisted" gravity drainage (SAGD) - purify oil affected waters
  

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