Abstract

Increasing interest in CO2 sequestration is linked to the need for cost-effective alternatives of In Situ Combustion Pilot Projects (ISCPP) which is an ongoing field testing effort aimed at assessing its efficacy in increasing the recovery factor of heavy oil reservoirs from Hugo Chávez Orinoco Oil Belt (Venezuela). A proposal is presented for an accelerated evaporation system for volume decreasing of caustic liquor in alumina industrial artificial lagoons, obtaining sodium carbonate (soda ash) and its later utilization in the synthesis of sodium percarbonate (Na2CO3•1.5H2O2) (SPC). The caustic liquor evaporation rate was of 0.146 mm/h using only radiation in the evaporation system. When only artificial wind was used the e vaporation r ate w as 0 .196 m m/h, w hich means an increase of 34% in the evaporation rate. Results indicate that simultaneous application of radiation and wind into the evaporation panels allowed to attain a maximum caustic liquor evaporation rate of 0.302 mm/h, which represents an increase of 1 07% i n the e vaporation r ate. T he o btained s alt i s r ich i n sodium carbonate, which was used as raw material to accomplish SPC synthesis. The reaction was possible, with a yield o f 4 6.7% a nd S PC c ontent o f 6 8% f or e very 1 00 g o f sample obtained. SPC synthesis seems to be an alternative to waste disposal by adding value to caustic liquor.