Characterization of Bitumen Properties Using Microscopy and Near Infrared Spectroscopy: Processability of Oxidized or Degraded Ores

Oxidized or degraded oil sands exhibit poor processability which is often not correlated with the fines or clay contents in the ore. Chemical markers (such as low pH and high soluble iron and calcium) for oil sands oxidation are sometimes not present even though significant changes in bitumen properties may have been successfully quantified using microscopic techniques developed at CANMET. More recently, an on-line tool using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which correlates with the CANMET microscopic method, has been developed with Suncor Energy Inc. An on-line technique based on NIR that can quantify the amount of degrading ore coming to the extraction plant from Suncor Energy Inc.'s Steepbank mine will be useful in effectively controlling additions of process aids for treatment oxidizing or degraded ores. This paper discusses the processability of oxidized or degraded ores along with a microscopic method for identifying oxidized ore and its correlation with the NIR spectroscopic technique.