Calgary companies create process to ship undiluted bitumen

BitCrude has developed a process that includes a state-of-the-art diluent recovery unit to produce a new, safe form of undiluted bitumen.

BitCrude says the undiluted bitumen created by its process is different from diluted bitumen, or “dilbit”, because undiluted bitumen does not require pipelines or tankers to be transported. Syncrude photo by Todd Korol

Calgary based BitCrude has partnered with Melius Energy to use the BitCrude transportation solution to safely and economically transport undiluted bitumen to worldwide markets.

According to BitCrude, the company has developed a process that includes a state-of-the-art diluent recovery unit (DRU) to produce a new, safe form of undiluted bitumen.

The second part of the process involves using transporting the undiluted bitumen in 20 shipping containers.  Finally, the company has created a proprietary process to remove the undiluted bitumen from the shipping containers.

BitCrude says the undiluted bitumen created by its process is different from diluted bitumen, or “dilbit”, because undiluted bitumen does not require pipelines or tankers to be transported.

“The product that comes out of the BitCrude process is a semi-solid, making it safe to transport in our custom shipping containers on standard rail and vessel infrastructure both domestically and internationally,” said BitCrude creator Cal Broder.

Broder adds “Melius Energy has been created to support the commercialization and marketing of this semi-solid crude oil.”

The undiluted bitumen is safe to transport and is designated as a non-dangerous good.  It is non-flammable for transportation purposes, floats in both fresh and saltwater in custom-designed shipping containers and is non-toxic to marine life.

The BitCrude DRU is an electrically powered diluent recovery unit. The process avoids further fossil fuel combustion and requires no chemicals, additives nor diluent, creating both a safer product, and a facility with a reduced green house gas footprint.

The company says the DRUs are modular scalable, and stackable and will reduce environmental impact and improve efficiencies.

“Melius is thrilled to work with BitCrude to utilize existing infrastructure to move bitumen, similar to how we move other consumer goods,” said Melius Energy President, Nicole Zhang. Adding, “the commercialization of this technology makes both economic and environmental sense.”

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