HipVap Indirect Fired Steam Generator (IFSG) Commercial Pilot Demonstration

Solution Developer

Scovan Innovations Inc.

Project Description

Scovan is advancing its HipVap technology to create opportunities to reduce environmental impacts to steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) projects throughout western Canada.
Scovan has designed, fabricated, constructed, commissioned and is operating and testing a commercial pilot version of the HipVap technology at a SAGD facility near Bonnyville, Alberta. The HipVap technology is an indirect fired steam generator (IFSG) developed to reduce the complexity and cost of steam generation by using untreated produced water as the boiler feedwater stream.
In the HipVap commercial pilot project, produced water is circulated in a loop where 20% steam is generated in the IFSG heat exchanger and circulated to a steam separator. The closed-loop heat source for the IFSG heat exchanger is a hot oil, fired heater package. The circuit is operated on a net basis of up to 98% steam quality (i.e.: 2% blowdown).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are incorporated into HipVap operations and management to optimize chemical dosing rates, manage fouling, optimize mechanical cleaning frequency, provide predictive maintenance visibility for critical equipment and reduce operator overheads. This AI/ML incorporation allows for continuous optimization and performance improvements through the operating and testing phase of the commercial pilot project.

Benefits/Outcomes

• This technology aims to exceed environmental and economic performance compared with conventional steam generators used in in-situ oil sands extraction.

• Modularity and lower capital costs could enable smaller-scale buildout of in-situ production at the well pad level.

Project Resources