Value Creation Inc.’s key innovation in the ADC™ process was the identification of the basic colloidal physics and the operating environment that could lead to the rapid and very selective separation of asphaltenes from heavy residue fractions in bitumen streams. The science is complex; however, the ADC™ process utilizes relatively simple hardware facilities under moderate pressures and temperatures. A low viscosity, low contaminant crude is produced which requires little to no diluent for transportation.

The unique feature of the ADC™ process is the ability to remove asphaltenes from the hydrocarbon phase of the bitumen by applying colloidal physics. The process is very selective, leading to a higher yield of decontaminated crude oil than is achievable by other technologies.

The decontaminated crude oil product stream is much lower in viscosity, sulphur, nitrogen and metals than the feed bitumen and is capable of being transported through a common carrier pipeline with little or no diluent.

The ADC™ unit can be used on a stand-alone basis to produce a low-viscosity, low-contaminant product that can be transported by pipeline with little or no diluent. This compares to conventional bitumen that requires between 25% to 35% of diluent for a diluted bitumen blend and up to 50% of diluent for a synthetic blend. Using USP™ technology, the decontaminated crude oil product stream can then be thermally cracked into lighter products with better qualities compared to processing asphaltene-containing feedstocks.