ORIMULSION®: RESEARCH AND TESTING AND OPEN WATER CONTAINMENT AND RECOVERY TRIALS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Orimulsion is a bitumen-water mixture (approximately 70% bitumen and 30% water, with 0.2% surfactant) produced in Venezuela and sold internationally as a fuel to fire power plants. The permitting process for the introduction of this fuel into the international energy market has required extensive research and testing on its chemical composition, physical properties, behavior in water, environmental toxicity, and containment and recovery after a spill. Both components (water and bitumen) initially disperse in water. The volatile compounds, which are relatively low in concentration, are contained mostly in the water component. The bitumen is relatively inert. The density of the bitumen tends to cause it to sink in fresh water and rise in saltwater. In addition, seawater causes the emulsifier to destabilize from the bitumen. The result is that, at sea, in calm conditions with sufficient concentration, the bitumen will tend to coalesce and rise to the surface. Bitor and potential users of Orimulsion have been developing response strategies and tools for responding to Orimulsion spills. Recent field testing has shown that a spill of Orimulsion can be cleaned up using currently available response equipment in response strategies developed uniquely for Orimulsion. The tests have shown that, once contained, bitumen can be recovered from an Orimulsion spill very effectively (80% to 90% recovery).