CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL TREATMENT OF THE LINDBERGH PRODUCED SAND

Experiments were carried out using a conventional flotation unit to st udy the feasibility of cleaning the sand produced from unconsolidated heavy oil formations. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether fl otation treatment would produce a sand product that could be disposed of as clean fill. Results of the flotation tests indicate that more th an 99% reduction in hydrocarbon and salt content could be achieved by treating the sand in a flotation unit. The addition of a surface-activ e chemical (surfactant) enhanced the disengagement of hydrocarbon from the sand surfaces. The cleaning of the produced sand was achieved by using a sand-to-water ratio of 1:2 and a surfactant concentration of a round 1,000 mg/kg of solid.