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Researchers develop large-scale, economical method to extract hydrogen from oil sands and oil fields

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Canadian researchers have developed a large-scale economical method to extract hydrogen from oil sands (natural bitumen) and oil fields. The process can extract hydrogen from existing oil sands reservoirs, with huge existing supplies found in Canada and Venezuela. Proton Technologies is commercializing the process.

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New study suggests reported PAH emissions in oil sands region greatly underestimated

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Results from a new modeling assessment of contamination in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) suggest that officially reported emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in that region have been greatly underestimated. Tailing ponds are not the end of the journey for the pollutants they contain. Click to enlarge.

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Joint Canada/Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring begins summer air monitoring project

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A comprehensive environmental field study to gather information on air contaminants in the Wood Buffalo region in northeast Alberta, Canada (home to major oil sands projects) will occur from 12 August to mid-September 2013. Evaluate high-resolution air quality models for use in the oil sands region. Earlier post.).

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Fluid thermal processing of Mongolian oil sands

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A study by a team from the State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum found that fluid thermal processing of. il sands is a feasible process for the production of an upgraded bitumen-derived liquid from Inner Mongolian oil sand. Oil sands exploration in Xing’an region.

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University of Alberta Researchers Find That Oil Sands Industry Is Releasing More Pollutants Into Athabasca River System Than Previously Estimated

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New research from a team at the University of Alberta, Canada, finds that Alberta’s oilsands industry is releasing more pollutants into the Athabasca River, its tributaries and its watershed than previously estimated. The pollutants found include mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium. Kelly et al. David Schindler. David Schindler.

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Penn State team develops more environmentally friendly method for separating bitumen or oil from sands using ionic liquids

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Separation of bitumen from a Canadian oil sand sample using an ionic liquid. A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a new, more environmentally friendly method of separating bitumen from oil sands utilizing ionic liquids (IL). Oil sands represent approximately two-thirds of the world’s estimated oil reserves.

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Microbes for Quick Clean Up of Toxic Byproducts from Heavy Crude and Oil Sands

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Microbiologists from the University of Essex, UK are exploring the use of microbes to break down and remove toxic compounds from heavy crude and oil sands. However, the process of oil extraction and subsequent refining produces high concentrations of toxic byproducts. This water is contained in large settling or tailing ponds.

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