Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Student’s Resource
Name
COSI Investigation 1: The Effect of Temperature on Bitumen Extraction
Reducing the temperature reduces the energy input needed to extract bitumen from oil sand.
Research provides information to determine the feasibility of reducing the temperature—by
testing the stated hypothesis. Complete the Purpose, Design, Materials, Evidence, Analysis and
Evaluation (Parts 1, 2 and 3) sections of the following laboratory report. Use the Problem,
Hypothesis and Procedure to help complete the Purpose, Design and Materials sections of the
report.
Purpose
Problem
How does the temperature of the chemical system affect the extent of bitumen extraction from
oil sand?
Hypothesis
According to Karl Clark and many other researchers since the 1920s, the extent of bitumen
extraction from oil sand increases as the temperature increases.
Design
Materials
Procedure
Safety: Do not overheat the vials—they may explode from air pressure. Be cautious with the hot
water (and glass). Wear safety glasses and a laboratory apron.
1. Obtain 2 sealed glass vials (marked for temperature) with oil sand in a controlled mixture.
2. Place the “60 ºC” vial vertically in an empty 150 mL beaker. Place the “20 ºC” vial vertically
on the counter top.
3. Add enough boiling water (e.g., 100 mL) to three-quarters immerse the 60 ºC vial (to a
controlled height) for about 5 min (for an equilibrium temperature of about 60 ºC).
4. Measure and record the temperature of the water in the bath/beaker at the equilibrium.
5. Remove the vial by grasping the plastic cap and avoiding the hot water.
6. Wrap several layers of paper towel around each (20 ºC and 60 ºC) vial and hold tightly.
7. Shake the vials for 45 s horizontally and 15 s vertically and set it to settle for 5 min.
8. Record evidence of the relative quantity of bitumen froth, water colour, bitumen layer on the
sand, and bitumen bits in the sand.
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
1/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Evidence
Table 1.1: The Effect of Temperature on the Extraction of Bitumen from Oil Sand
Vial
Temperature
(ºC)
Bitumen
as froth
Bitumen
in water
Bitumen
on sand
Bitumen
in sand
1
2
Verified control of the initial quantity/height of oil sand, water and air. (yes/no)
Other evidence:
Analysis
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
2/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Student’s Resource
Name
COSI Investigation 2: The Effect of Air on Bitumen Extraction
The empirical effect of air on bitumen extraction is very important to reducing the quantity of
energy (the temperature) and the pH of the water used. For example, does the air adhere best to
the water, the sand or the bitumen. Complete the Purpose, Design, Materials, Evidence, Analysis
and Evaluation (Parts 1, 2 and 3) sections of the following laboratory report. Use the Problem,
Hypothesis and Procedure to help complete the Purpose, Design and Materials sections of the
report.
Purpose
Problem
How does the quantity of air the chemical system affect the extent of bitumen extraction from oil
sand?
Hypothesis
According to the concepts of density and intermolecular forces, if air is bubbled into a bitumen
mixture and the air bubbles are captured within the bitumen, then more bitumen floats to the top
as froth.
Design
Materials
Procedure
Safety: Do not overheat the vials—they may explode from air pressure. Be cautious with the hot
plate and hot water (and glass). Wear safety glasses and a laboratory apron.
1. Obtain 2 sealed glass vials marked as 0 cm air and 4 cm air.
2. Place the vials vertically in an empty 250 mL beaker.
3. Add enough boiling water (e.g., 150 mL) to three-quarters immerse the vials (to a controlled
height) for about 5 min (for an equilibrium temperature of about 60 ºC).
4. Measure and record the temperature of the water in the bath/beaker at about equilibrium.
5. Remove the vials one at a time by grasping the plastic cap and avoiding the hot water.
6. Wrap several layers of paper towel around each glass vial and shake horizontally for 45 s and
vertically for 15 s, and then set the vials upside down on a paper towel for 5 min.
7. Record evidence of the relative quantity of bitumen froth, water colour, bitumen layer on the
sand, and bitumen bits in the sand.
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
3/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Evidence
Table 2.1: The Effect of Air on the Extraction of Bitumen from Oil Sand
Vial
Height of
Temperature
Bitumen
Bitumen
Bitumen
air (cm)
(ºC)
as froth
in water
on sand
1
0
2
Bitumen
in sand
4.0
Verified control of the temperature and the initial quantity/height of oil sand. (yes/no)
Other evidence:
Analysis
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
4/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Student’s Resource
Name
COSI Investigation 3: The Effect of pH on Bitumen Extraction
This investigation is restricted to studying the effect of pH on bitumen extraction from oil sand.
The research program herein includes studies of the effect of temperature, air, pH, calcium ion
concentration, and oil sand type. Complete the Purpose, Design, Materials, Evidence, Analysis
and Evaluation (Parts 1, 2 and 3) sections of the following laboratory report. Use the Problem,
Hypothesis and Procedure to help complete the Purpose, Design and Materials sections of the
report.
Purpose
Problem
How does the pH of the chemical system affect the extent of bitumen extraction from oil sand?
Hypothesis
According to Karl Clark and many other researchers since the 1920s, the extent of bitumen
extraction from oil sand increases as the pH increases.
Design
Materials
Procedure
Safety: Do not overheat the vials—they may explode from air pressure. Be cautious with the hot
plate and hot water (and glass). Wear safety glasses and a laboratory apron.
1. Obtain the three sealed and labeled glass vials with oil sand in a controlled mixture with
water and air, but with varying pH of 7, 9 and 11.
2. Place the vials vertically in a 400 mL beaker.
3. Add enough boiling water to three-quarters immerse the vials (to a controlled height).
4. Measure and record the temperature of the water in the bath/beaker when the temperature
reaches equilibrium at about 60°C at the end of about 5 min.
5. Remove the vials one at a time by grasping the plastic cap and avoiding the hot water.
6. Wrap several layers of paper towel around each vial and shake horizontally for 45 s and
vertically for 15 s.
7. Record evidence of the relative quantity of bitumen froth, water colour, bitumen layer on the
sand, and bitumen bits in the sand.
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
5/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Evidence
Table 3.1: The Effect of pH on the Extraction of Bitumen from Oil Sand
Vial
pH
Temperature
Bitumen
Bitumen
Bitumen
(ºC)
froth
in water
on sand
1
7
2
9
3
11
Bitumen
in sand
Verified control of the temperature and the initial quantity/height of oil sand. (yes/no)
Other evidence:
Analysis
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
6/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Student’s Resource
Name
COSI Investigation 4: The Effect of Calcium Ion Concentration on Bitumen Extraction
The following investigation (with more sophisticated equipment) was recently carried out at the
Centre for Oil Sands Innovation at the University of Alberta. The research program herein
includes studies of the effect of temperature, air, pH, calcium ion concentration, and oil sand
type. Complete the Purpose, Design, Materials, Evidence, Analysis and Evaluation (Parts 1, 2
and 3) sections of the following laboratory report. Use the Problem, Hypothesis and Procedure to
help complete the Purpose, Design and Materials sections of the report.
Purpose
Problem
How does the concentration of calcium ions affect the extent and quality of bitumen extraction
from oil sand?
Hypothesis
Based upon previous laboratory (empirical) work, increasing the calcium ion concentration
increases the quantity of bitumen froth but decreases the quality (purity) of the froth.
Design
Materials
Procedure
Safety: Do not overheat the vials—they may explode from air pressure. Be cautious with the hot
plate and hot water (and glass). Wear safety glasses and a laboratory apron.
1. Place the varying calcium concentration vials vertically in an empty 250 mL beaker.
2. Add enough boiling water (e.g., 150 mL) to three-quarters immerse the vials (to a controlled
height) for about 5 min (for an equilibrium temperature of about 60 ºC).
3. Measure and record the temperature of the water in the bath/beaker at the equilibrium
4. Remove the vials one at a time by grasping the plastic cap and avoiding the hot water.
5. Wrap several layers of paper towel around each vial and shake horizontally for 45 s and
vertically for 15 s.
6. Record evidence of the relative quantity of bitumen froth, water colour, bitumen layer on the
sand, and bitumen bits in the sand.
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
7/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Evidence
Table 4.1: The Effect of Calcium Ions on the Extraction of Bitumen from Oil Sand
Vial [Ca2+(aq)]
Temp.
Bitumen
Bitumen
Bitumen
Bitumen
(mmol/L)
(ºC)
froth
in water
on sand
in sand
1
0
2
10
Verified control of the temperature and the initial quantity/height of oil sand. (yes/no)
Other evidence:
Analysis
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
8/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Student’s Resource
Name
COSI Investigation 5: The Effect of Oil Sand Type on Bitumen Extraction
The following investigation is often replicated (repeated) with slight variations of secondary
variables in research laboratories like the Centre for Oil Sands Innovation at the University of
Alberta. The research program outlined here includes studies of the effect of temperature, air,
pH, calcium ion concentration, and oil sand type. Complete the Purpose, Design, Materials,
Evidence, Analysis and Evaluation (Parts 1, 2 and 3) sections of the following laboratory report.
Use the Problem, Hypothesis and Procedure to help complete the Purpose, Design and Materials
sections of the report.
Purpose
Problem
How does the type of oil sand affect the extent and quality of bitumen extraction from oil sand?
Hypothesis
Based upon past experience in research and industry, the quantity of bitumen extracted from oil
sand is affected by whether the oil sand is allowed to dry in air.
Design
Materials
Procedure
Safety: Do not overheat the vials—they may explode from air pressure. Be cautious with the hot
plate and hot water (and glass). Wear safety glasses and a laboratory apron.
1. Obtain the two sealed glass vials with oil sand of varying dryness (i.e., dried vs. not).
2. Place the two vials vertically in an empty 250 mL beaker.
3. Add enough boiling water to three-quarters immerse the vials.
4. Measure and record the temperature of the water in the beaker when it reaches an equilibrium
temperature at about 60 ºC
5. Remove the vials one at a time by grasping the plastic cap and avoiding the hot water.
6. Wrap several layers of paper towel around each vial and shake horizontally for 45 s and
vertically for 15 s.
7. Record evidence of the relative quantity of bitumen froth, water colour, bitumen layer on the
sand, and bitumen bits in the sand.
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
9/10
Alberta Ingenuity & CMASTE
Evidence
Table 5.1: The Effect of Oil Sand Type on the Extraction of Bitumen from Oil Sand
Vial Oil Sands
Temp.
Bitumen
Bitumen
Bitumen
Bitumen
Type
(ºC)
froth
in water
on sand
in sand
1
dry
2
fresh
Verified control of the initial quantity/height of oil sand, water and air and of the temperature.
(yes/no)
Other evidence:
Analysis
116094489
Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation
10/10