Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2021-2022).

The LC-FinerSM, a heavy oil hydroprocessor, is used by Syncrude Canada Ltd to upgrade Canadian bitumen tox000D
synthetic crude oil via catalytic hydrogenation. The LC-FinerSM geometry, in particular the entrancex000D
(gas-liquid distributor) and exit (liquid recycle pan), affects the reactor performance. An even spatialx000D
distribution of the fluids is essential for proper hydrogenation and to limit the formation of coke which, byx000D
settling at bottom of the reactor and detrimentally affecting the fluids distribution, can becomex000D
self-propagating. The fluids distribution system also influences bubble formation, which in turn affects bedx000D
hydrodynamics and transport phenomena. Moreover, since bubbles do not readily coalesce in the bed, thex000D
original bubble size distribution likely impacts phase separation in the recycle pan, and gas entrained with thex000D
recycled liquid increases the gas flow through the distribution system resulting in greater bed gas holdups at thex000D
expense of the liquid holdup and ultimately product yield. Moreover, greater yields lead to better processx000D
energy efficiencies and thus reduced impact on the environment (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions).x000D
Optimization of economic return and environmental impact are central to the successful development of thex000D
Canadian oil sands industry, which will lead the growth in crude oil supply from 4.0 million barrels/day inx000D
2015 to an estimated 5.5 million barrels/day in 2030.x000D
This research project will have both multiphase computational fluid dynamics and experimental campaigns,x000D
leveraged by existing unique equipment and specialized instrumentation. Enhancements in reactorx000D
performance, via changes in reactor internal geometry and operating conditions that increase the liquid holdupx000D
and run time, will be proposed. Graduate and undergraduate students will partake in operation of high pressurex000D
equipment at the pilot scale, mathematical modeling and communication/interaction with an industrial partnerx000D
for complete and comprehensive training.