New oilsands processing solution in development

Sonic Technology Solutions and Shell Canada Energy have teamed up to develop novel oilsands extraction processes, and their work has warranted a patent application. The patent was filed jointly between Shell and Sonic subsidiary SonoOil for the recovery of bitumen from oil sands.

SonoOil is using Sonic's proprietary ultrasonic energy-generation technology to improve the processing of heavy oils, most notably in Canada's Athabasca Oil Sands reservoir. Sonic's platform technology is the high-amplitude/low-frequency Sonoprocess system, which consists of a patented electromagnetic drive system located at each end of a steel bar. The drive system oscillates the steel bar into its natural resonance frequency, generating a powerful pulse that is at least one order of magnitude greater than that of conventional industrial systems, according to the company.

Schematic showing one of several Sonoprocess sizes and configurations. This one is a twin-chamber design using a dual-magnetic drive system.

This intense energy is captured and transferred to a sonic reaction chamber. A process stream that enters the chamber is exposed to this energy, creating an environment for high mass-transfer conditions that allow for improved and sustainable separation, according to Sonic.

While the company has employed this technology for the treatment of soil and waste streams from many different industries, its core operations are centered on heavy-oil upgrading processes. The specific collaboration with Shell builds on Sonic's expertise and application of its core technology and incorporates further work conducted and funded by Shell.  The application was made in Canada and filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, allowing for submissions to other national jurisdictions to be made later.

Adam Sumel, chief executive officer of SONIC, said, "We are very pleased that Shell's progress to date has borne out our earlier proprietary work which has now been strengthened with Shell's additional results. The details of the innovation as disclosed in the patent application will be available when the application is published by the patent office."

To learn more about the Sonoprocess technology, visit www.SONICtsi.com.

Ted Moon is the Technology Editor of JPT Online. He brings information on emerging technologies, R&D successes, new field applications, updates from SPE papers about recent innovations, and more. If you have a question or suggestion for future article topics, email Ted at teched@spe.org.