Canadian oilsands derived bitumen has a vanadium content of the order 180-240 μg/g. Vanadium is believed to present in crude oil mainly in the form of metalloporphyrins. Different unconventional methods were explored for the demetalation of diluted Athabasca bitumen (Dilbit) to recover vanadium for potential use in vanadium redox flow batteries. The methods investigated are photochemical separation, electrochemical separation and adsorption. In the photochemical recovery process, the metalloporphyrins are postulated to photodissociate in presence of a hydrogen donor solvent to convert ‘bound’ metalloporphyrins into ‘free’ porphyrins. The material is photodecomposed by UV irradiation to release metal ions into solution, which can be selectively removed by solvent extraction. Experiments were performed with model compound, 5,10,15,20-Tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine vanadium (IV) oxide, dissolved in oil and Dilbit samples. Nearly 50% removal of vanadium was observed in photodissociation of model compound, however only 0.1% V was removed in case of the Dilbit sample. It was clear from the experimental investigation that photoirradiation assisted extraction cannot be used on intensely colored (dark) samples such as Dilbit, since most of the light was absorbed by the bulk medium. However, the work showed that this technique might have some value in removing metals from white products in refinery streams. Electrochemical separation is based on an analogous hypothesis as photochemical assisted extraction process, but using electrical current to dissociate the metalloporphyrins. The same model compound and Dilbit samples as employed for the photodecomposition study were subjected to electrolysis in order to displace the metal ions in the metalloporphyrins followed by liquid-liquid extraction process. Nearly 70% vanadium was recovered when electrolysis was performed on the model compound. Electrochemical treatment of Dilbit resulted in 24% recovery of vanadium. Adsorption experiments were conducted in columns using alumina as an adsorbent. Preliminary experiments indicated that around 35% of vanadium in Dilbit was removed by adsorption when the column bed height was maintained at 2.5cm and Dilbit to adsorbent ratio was 2:1. It was found that some of the investigated processes have the potential to recover vanadium from Dilbit. Current understanding of the removal mechanisms will be discussed, and each process will also be critically evaluated in terms of performance.

Removal of vanadium from bitumen by unconventional methods

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.