Alberta's oil sands are a key strategic resource in the energy and economic futures of both Alberta and North America. DryVac is adapting its patented vacuum/steam press to the needs of the industry. Following successful field tests, DryVac has numerous opportunities in heavy oil, mining, oil upgrading, SAGD and other applications. The technology can remove bitumen from soil and water for re-use in mining operations.

The primary application for our equipment is to recover both water from spent lime/water mix and heavy oil from hydrocarbon contaminated sand. Our business was initially driven by interaction with waste hauling. Water/slurry/waste mixes must regularly be trucked to special off-site dumps. This process incurs high fees for handling, trucking and tipping, not to mention ongoing environmental liability for the disposed product. Once the lime mix from the SAGD water softening operations is dewaterd, the resulting lime and other solid components are now in stable, non-leachable forms. The water can undergo additional treatment for recycling and reuse. Depending on the actual composition and market forces, the processed solids can be re-used in agricultural or industrial application. The bulking to 50% solids and tipping/land fill liabilities are eliminated and trucking costs are reduced by 80%.

In heavy oil production, we facilitate on-site removal of oil from sand. To treat heavy oil and tank bottoms, DryVac works with water flow to remove sand and other solid impurities. The efficiency of the DryVac system, reduces overall energy consumption, energy costs and carbon emissions. When solvents are used, DryVac separates the solvent from the water waste for further use. DryVac Canada, Ltd. has established a Calgary office. We are establishing local manufacturing facilities to service this market sector.