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Alternative Energy Applications In The Oil Sands Industry
No full textThe purpose of this study is to evaluate proposed energy sources as potential alternatives that can be integrated within the oil sands operations. The study addresses renewable and non-renewable energy systems for power generation as well as the oil sands industry situation, and its energy requirements based on consumption of natural gas required in fundamental steps of the oil sands recovering and upgrading activities. This study provides an assessment of environmental, economic and social aspects generated from the oil sands operations perspective. The study’s recommended energy systems are solar thermal, wind, geothermal and nuclear power as alternative energy systems. Their assessment covered technology and energy aspects, economic feasibility and environmental aspects based on current literature available.
Despite the favourable technological and environmental assessments confirming the high potential of incorporating these technologies within in the oil sands activities, the economic analysis of these four energy systems demonstrated that they are reliant on natural gas prices reaching a minimum price point before they can be considered economically feasible. The benefits offered by all four sources include reduced GHG emissions which is a major incentive especially if a significant carbon penalty is introduced. Given the international attention on the oil sands operations and its environmental issues, further study into alternative sources as a method of reducing GHG emissions is highly recommended
Carbon Price Sensitivity Analysis On The Alberta Oil Sands: An Environmental And Economic Study
No full textThis paper provides an overview of the oil sands industry including the associated environmental impact, Alberta’s greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations, and the economics of bitumen production. The impact of the GHG regulations is examined using the emissions intensity of the oil sands industry relative to the provincial GHG reduction targets. The economic impact of GHG regulations on industry is analyzed by determining the average cost of compliance per barrel of bitumen produced. For comparison, the carbon pricing systems in British Columbia and Norway are discussed and the outcomes of the policies are provided as examples of the impact of higher carbon pricing and more stringent regulations. Norway’s relatively high carbon price is applied to Alberta and the economic implications are discussed. Through these analyses and findings, a number of policy recommendations for Alberta’s GHG regulations are provided to address the environmental issues of the industry while considering important economic factors
Extraction Of Lithium From Oilfield Wastewater, A Technology Review
No full textThanks to its unique qualities, lithium has a variety of technical and non-technical applications. However, its application in batteries seems to be the most important one and consumes significant amount of this valuable element. All market analysts forecast a strong demand for lithium for at least next two decades. The most important market drivers would be mobile gadgets and electronic devices; renewable energies; and electrical vehicles. On the other side of the story, there is huge amount of wastewater produced in oil sand operations which contains valuable materials like lithium and potassium. The aim of this research project is to find effective and efficient techniques to concentrate lithium from wastewater produced in oil sands operations. After conducting a comprehensive research, we came to this conclusion that selective adsorption and electrodialysis can technically be two promising techniques for lithium extraction from oil sands wastewaters. Economical evaluation of these techniques need more investigations
Market Feasibility Of Methane Bio-filtration Technology In Alberta To Control Point Source Low-volume Methane Emissions
No full textMethane has a global warming potential that is twenty five times more than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. It is naturally occurring in the atmosphere and also generated from various anthropogenic activities such as industrial, commercial, agricultural and waste processes. According to the ERCB 2012 Upstream Petroleum Industry Flaring and Venting Report, 2011, “The combined volume of flared and vented solution gas increased to 785 million cubic meters (106 m3) (27 856 million cubic feet [MMcf]) in 2011.” A look at these numbers indicates that though these are low-volume point sources, the numbers add up exceptionally. The question therefore is how to control these lower volume point source emissions. There are numerous on-going researches to minimize methane emitted in the atmosphere and mitigate climate change. One of such researches is the testing of bio-filters that convert low volumes of methane into CO2 with the help of bacteria at the University of Calgary. There are on-going pilot projects to aid in the deployment of the technology into industry. The bio-filters are being designed to address point source low volume methane emission of up to 100m3 flow per day. Low volume emissions are the focus of the research as the volumes add up quickly and become quite significant. Higher volumes are easier to manage as they are more economically viable to generate electricity. It is advantageous that the research and testing is taking place in Alberta, as the province has a climate change policy in place to reduce overall emissions. The Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation (CCEMC) through its Biological Greenhouse Gas Management Program fund such researches to find lasting solutions to reduce greenhouse gases. The Methane Bio-filter Technology is in its early stages with various field-scale pilot projects in place to continually test the technology. The pilot projects have had a high degree of success. This report will explore Methane Bio-filter Technology as an innovative technology with an aim to offset methane emissions from low point sources and thus increase their energy efficiency. It will involve analyzing why and how by offsetting methane from low point sources using Methane Bio-filter Technology makes sense for the industry. This paper will also assess how the bio-filters can be applied in various sectors as well as the market feasibility of introducing the technology into industry. The industry analysis will include a PESTEL, SWOT and Five Forces analysis with Alberta’s industry sector in mind. Furthermore, it incorporates and discusses technological aspects and relevant environmental issues. In addition, economic and regulatory aspects will also be addressed keeping energy as the focal point
Examining The Impact Of The Regulatory Review Process For Transcanada’s Keystone Xl Project On Existing And Future North American Transboundary Pipeline Projects
No full textThe primary purpose of our project was to examine the impact of the protracted regulatory process for TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline on the North American oil transportation system. We have examined the various economic, environmental and legal issues associated with the Keystone XL project at the U.S. and Canadian federal, state and provincial levels, as well as the associated implications that are observed and anticipated as a result of the project being delayed. Due to a lack of additional pipeline infrastructure to transport new Western Canadian oil production to the Gulf Coast where it is in highest demand in the United States, Canada has suffered a significant economic loss due to the differential between Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude oil and Western Texas Intermediate (WTI). Due to the various precedents set by the Keystone XL project review, it is likely that future transboundary projects originating in both Canada and the US will experience similar unpredictability. As evidenced by the ongoing delay in the Keystone XL project, it appears that the major obstacle to carry a proposed project forward in this era is no longer scientific or financial considerations, but instead it is now a battle of public opinion and political influence
Alternative Method For Management Of Hazardous Waste In Petroleum Refineries With Focus On Esmeraldas Refinery In Ecuador
No full textMethane Generation From A Municipal Solid Waste In Jamaica
No full textWaste reduction is recognized by the United Nations as a logical starting point for sustainable solid waste management. The United State Environmental Protection Agency defines waste reduction as “a broad term encompassing all waste management methods – source reduction, recycling and composting – that results in a reduction of waste going into a landfill or combustion facility”. Waste reduction strategies have received much attention in developing countries, leading to an increase understanding of their application and thus their ultimate societal prevalence. This project analyses the possibility of applying one such waste reduction technology “landfill gas to energy” which is a form of composting at the Riverton City Landfill in Jamaica. It examines the feasibility of developing a landfill gas to energy project at the Riverton City landfill which receives 60% of the Island waste. The design of a landfill gas to energy plant which is complemented with a methane extraction and collection system and suitable electrical system, an economic analysis was done. The analysis revealed that the initial investment (start-ups) cost is expensive and the government might not be able to afford it at this time. This project is a viable, if applied as a Clean Development Mechanism Emission Reduction project it can open the Island to more global opportunities for dealing with international organizations. Revenues gained can be used to help the municipality improve its finance
Electrification Of Mubarak Village, Karachi, Pakistan By Renewable Energy Hybrid System
No full textThe objective of the project is to derive energy from renewable resources (Wind & Solar) then store DC Power and provide AC Power through DC-AC Inverter to Mubarak Village Goth, Karachi, Pakistan. The project optimization and feasibility has been done through the HOMER Energy Software which gives the best conFigureuration to be installed. The implementation of this project would generate electricity for the villagers from cost free renewable energy resources at this remote location having ample amount of wind and sun light. This report gives the stepwise procedure of the overall literature review of the current energy situation in Pakistan, the issues on the specific site of Mubarak Village, and the HOMER software inputs which have been taken from NASA and outputs of the system. In this way it provides reader the easier way to be familiar with this project
