Stabilization/solidification treatments for filter cake, a by-product of asphaltene gasification

Abstract

Filter Cake, which contains leachable nickel and vanadium above the criteria in the Alberta Waste Control Regulation, is produced at an oil sands facility operated by Nexen Inc. and is currently being disposed in a landfill. Bench scale and field tests were performed with stabilization/solidification (S/S) treatment reagents such as Portland cement, fly ash, elemental sulphur, and CETCO Oilfield Service’s proprietary reagents to assess their efficacy at reducing leachable metals in Filter Cake. The CETCO reagents were the most effective treatment for reducing leachable nickel and vanadium in Filter Cake. Treatments with Portland cement were successful in bench scale tests, but inconsistent in field tests. The inconsistent results obtained for Portland cement may have been due to interferences of the cement reactions from factors such as fine particulates. S/S treatments of Filter Cake present a viable waste management option. However, the associated reduced cost and environmental impacts were not substantial.