Editing Orimulsion

{{Short description|Registered trademark name for a bitumen-based fuel}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2010}}
'''Orimulsion''' is a registered [[trademark]] name for a [[bitumen]]-based fuel that was developed for industrial use by Intevep, the Research and Development Affiliate of [[Petroleos de Venezuela]] SA (PDVSA), following earlier collaboration on oil emulsions with [[BP]].

==Source of the bitumen==
Like coal and oil, bitumen occurs naturally and is obtained from the world's largest deposit in the [[Orinoco Belt]] in [[Venezuela]]. The deposit is estimated to be more than 1,300 billion [[Barrel (unit)|barrel]]s (190 billion m<sup>3</sup>) of bitumen, an amount approximately equivalent to the world's estimated proven [[oil reserves]].<ref name="USGS Venezuela">{{cite web|url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3028/pdf/FS09-3028.pdf|title=An Estimate of Recoverable Heavy Oil Resources of the Orinoco Oil Belt, Venezuela|author1=Christopher J. Schenk |author2=Troy A. Cook |author3=Ronald R. Charpentier |author4=Richard M. Pollastro |author5=Timothy R. Klett |author6=Marilyn E. Tennyson |author7=Mark A. Kirschbaum |author8=Michael E. Brownfield |author9=Janet K. Pitman.  |name-list-style=amp |date=11 January 2010|publisher=USGS|access-date=23 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.oei.es/historico/salactsi/orimulsion.htm| title = Hebe Vessuri, Maria Victoria Canino (2005). El caso de la Orimulsion. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas}}</ref>

==Preparation==
Raw bitumen has an extremely high [[viscosity]] and specific gravity between 8 and 10 [[API gravity]] at [[ambient temperature]]s, making it unsuitable for direct use in conventional power stations. Orimulsion is produced by mixing the bitumen with approximately 30% fresh water and a small amount of [[surfactant]]. The resulting mixture behaves similarly to [[fuel oil]]. Recently, an [[ethanol|alcohol]]-based surfactant has replaced the original [[phenol]]-based version, improving the transport properties of the fuel and eliminating the health concerns associated with the phenol group of surfactants.

==Advantages==
As a fuel for electricity generation, Orimulsion has a number of attractive characteristics:<ref>{{Cite web |last=GEC |date=2016-11-11 |title=Orimulsion |url=https://globalenergycertification.org/orimulsion/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Global Energy Certification |language=en-US}}</ref>
* the known reserves of bitumen are very large;
* it is currently priced to be competitive with internationally traded coal;
* it is relatively easy and safe to produce, transport, handle and store;
* it is easy to ignite and has good combustion characteristics;
* it can be used in power stations designed to run on coal or [[heavy fuel oil]], with suitable modification.

==Disadvantages==
While Orimulsion is little different to fuel oil in relation to environmental impacts when burnt, being similarly susceptible to pollution mitigation techniques, it is more problematic in spill situations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?Lab=NRMRL&dirEntryId=64845 | title=The Combustion of Orimulsion and ITS Generation of Air Pollutants }}</ref> 
If a spill occurs during shipping over water, the Orimulsion mixture de-emulsifies, causing the bitumen to separate and no longer remain in suspension.

Orimulsion is classified as a [[non-Newtonian fluid]], and if its temperature drops below 30 [[°C]], it undergoes a process referred to as 'setting'{{explain|date=October 2018}}. Once set, it becomes extremely difficult to pump, and restarting operations or restoring the flow through the pipeline becomes impossible.

==Decreasing usage==
Orimulsion is currently used as a commercial boiler fuel in power plants worldwide, including countries such as [[Japan]], [[Italy]]<ref>The ''Torrevaldaliga Nord'' plant in Civitavecchia</ref> and [[China]]. Its usage was previously more widespread, and there was an increasing demand for it. However, following the [[Venezuelan general strike of 2002–03]], many engineers from PDVSA were dismissed. Since Orimulsion had been highly regarded by these engineers, it lost favor among key political leaders.{{dubious|date=August 2014}} Consequently, the Venezuelan government has been attempting to gradually phase out the Orimulsion program, except for its sales to [[China]]. The Venezuelan government maintains close ties with China, similar to its relationship with [[Cuba]]. As a result, China continues to receive supplies of Orimulsion, while the rest of the world either had their supply terminated or is still in the process of winding down. Despite these developments, Orimulsion still holds great potential for domestic consumption.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}}

Another reason given by current PDVSA management is that with rising crude oil prices, it has been found that mixing or diluting Orinoco bitumen (extra-heavy oil) with a lighter crude oil can make this blend more profitable as a crude oil on the world market than by selling it as Orimulsion. An example of this is the popular Merey blend (Orinoco bitumen and Mesa crude oil). ConocoPhillips along with PDVSA operate the Merey Sweeny {{convert|58000|oilbbl/d|m3/d|sing=on}} (bpd) delayed coker, vacuum tower and related facilities at ConocoPhillips' refinery in Sweeny, Texas, U.S.A. for  processing and upgrading heavy sour Merey crude oil.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BNamericas - PDVSA, Phillips Open Sweeny Deep Conversion ... |url=https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/pdvsa-phillips-open-sweeny-deep-conversion-units |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=BNamericas.com |language=en}}</ref>

Air pollutant control technology that is commonly available can limit emissions from Orimulsion to levels considered "[[Best Available Control Technology]]", as defined by the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tavel |first=Nelson |date=11 August 1999 |title=ORIMULSION® FACT SHEET: Air Emissions Overview |url=http://www.emfuel.com/elib/elib003.pdf |website=[[emfuel]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite web | title=Orimulsion issue a closed chapter, says N.B. premier | website=CBC.ca | date=August 10, 2007  | url=http://www.cbc.ca/1.646874 | ref={{sfnref | CBC.ca | 2007}} | access-date=April 14, 2015}}
* {{cite web | title=News Pdvsa unit lands biggest Asian supply contract for Orimulsion | date=February 12, 1996|website=Oil & Gas Journal | url=http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-94/issue-7/in-this-issue/general-interest/news-pdvsa-unit-lands-biggest-asian-supply-contract-for-orimulsion.html| access-date=April 14, 2015}}
* [http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-106/issue-36/general-interest/emulsion-fuel-options-still-viable-for-heavy-oil.html Oil and Gas Journal: Emulsion fuel options still viable for heavy oil]
* {{cite web | title=Utility may be forced to explain Orimulsion boondoggle | website=CBC.ca | date=February 16, 2006  | url=http://www.cbc.ca/1.574056 | ref={{sfnref | CBC.ca | 2006}} | access-date=April 14, 2015}}
* {{cite web | title=Venezuela ceases orimulsion production | website=El Universal | date=September 26, 2006  | url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/09/26/en_eco_art_26A782649 | ref={{sfnref | El Universal | 2006}} | access-date=April 14, 2015}}

==External links==
* [http://www.sovereign-publications.com/bitumene.htm PDVSA Bitor]

[[Category:Petroleum products]]
[[Category:Venezuelan inventions]]
[[Category:Venezuelan brands]]
[[Category:PDVSA]]