Extended Abstract: Estimation of froth quality using Bayesian information synthesis

This paper presents the design of soft sensors for estimation of froth quality in oil sands extraction processes. One of the most important quality indexes for bitumen froth is the water content. Due to the variations of oil sands compositions and the complexity of the extraction process, existing hardware sensors are not reliable enough to provide accurate water content information. Laboratory analysis result is obtained off-line with large sampling interval and irregular time delay. Therefore, it is not sufficient for real-time monitoring and control. Bayesian information synthesis is proposed to fuse all the existing information to produce more reliable and more accurate real-time froth quality information. The technique has been applied in oil sands extraction units in Syncrude Canada Limited. Application results illustrate its promising perspectives for soft sensor development.