WATER USE: Outotec joins U of A oil sands research

BURLINGTON, Ontario - Outotec has joined the University of Alberta's research program intended to foster sustainable water use in Canadian oil sands extraction. The program will last five years and address water consumption, reuse and recycling by in situ bitumen producers.

The major problem to be studied will be the removal of water from oil-water-solid systems. Outotec is world leader in the mechanical separation of water and solids. Another participant, Kemira, will bring its expertise with chemical processes to the program.

The research is supported by a chair at the U of Alberta. Dr. Subir Bhattacharjee of the department of mechanical engineering has been appointed to the chair. The program is supported by industry ($750,000), the Alberta Water Research Institute ($600,000), and the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada ($750,000) over five years.

For more information please contact Outotec chief technology officer Kari Knuutila at kari.knuutila@outotec.com.