Thermophysical properties of dimethyl ether/Athabasca bitumen system

• DOI: 10.1002/cjce.23009
• Publication Date: 2017-08-29T16:05:35Z
• Authors: Ali Haddadnia; Bahareh Azinfar; Mohsen Zirrahi; Hassan Hassanzadeh; Jalal Abedi
• Keywords: Propane; Butane; Dimethyl ether

Solvent‐aided thermal recovery processes have recently gained practical and research interests among other methods due to their reduced environmental footprint superior energy efficiency. One of the main challenges in design solvent‐based is selection an appropriate solvent that maximizes bitumen recoveries. This study attempts introduce dimethyl ether (DME) as a non‐conventional for heavy oil recovery. To investigate performance proposed solvent, thermophysical properties DME/bitumen are studied. Vapour‐liquid equilibrium measurements including solubility, density, viscosity performed at three temperatures (100, 125, 150 °C) pressures up 6 MPa. The results were compared with propane/bitumen butane/bitumen systems. All measured fall between propane butane solubility density data fairly represented using PR‐EoS AARDs 10.3 1.43 %, respectively, correlated applying Pederson corresponding state model AARD 10.7 %. suggest DME suitable substitute solvents such solvent‐aided from sands.