Athabasca Bitumen In Situ Upgrading Reaction Monitoring: Operational Parameters versus Distillates Nature and Permanent Upgrading Achievable

Athabasca bitumen upgrading via in situ combustion (ISC) and in situ upgrading technology (ISUT) was studied in the present work, addressing three aspects related to these processes: (I) monitoring techniques especially developed for getting distillation characteristics for products and their fractions, (II) studying how distillation properties depend on process setup experimental conditions, and (III) assessing the permanent upgrading levels achieved for products from both studied processes. High temperature simulated distillation (HTSD) techniques were conceived for getting analysis turnarounds of 1-2 weeks, instead of month spans required when relying on standard physical distillation methodologies. Developed monitoring procedures guaranteed sample integrity; i.e., volatile fractions (<230 degrees C, about <C13) were included in product upgrading mappings. ISC processing tested in pilot scale combustion tubes was observed to provide complex upgrading mappings and product fractions presenting varying conversion of vacuum residue during the tests, properties mostly depending on the particular experimental conditions set up for each test. ISUT pilot testing carried out in two-dimensional pilot rigs was found to provide varying vacuum residua conversion levels, achieving the desirable aimed values by controlling the reaction (residence) time as an adjustable parameter. Both studied process alternatives provided substantial permanent upgrading, i.e., produced light ends that improved flow-ability and increased the market value of the products.