ET-DSP™ Technology

The Electro-Thermal Dynamic Stripping Process (ET-DSP™) is a patented electro-thermal technology which combines the majority of the dominant heat transfer mechanisms (electro-thermal, conduction, and convection) into an effective and environmentally benign method for heating the Athabasca oil sands. The fundamental physics for electro-thermal processes in oil sands were developed in the Applied Electromagnetic Laboratory at the University of Alberta as part of the AOSTRA University Access Program. The ET-DSP™ invention results from the use of electro-thermal methods for heating soils in the environmental industry in combination with years of thermal reservoir engineering experience in the energy industry. ET-DSP™ has achieved commercial status in the environmental industry as a technology that restores contaminated sites to useable real estate in less than six months as opposed to decades.

The electrodes are placed in a grid configuration and an extraction well is located within the center of each series of electrode wells. The spacing of the electrode wells is optimized to provide the most efficient heating of the formation. Currently configured in 1:1 E-Well (Electrode Well) to X-Well (Extraction Well) ratio, although further field testing will establish if higher ratios are more economic (ex. 2:1 or 4:1)

ET-DSP Well Configuration

E-T's electrodes are fabricated from 12" rolled thin wall carbon steel and are approximately 6 metres in length. The interior of the electrode consists of a hollow core through which power leads and hoses pass to lower electrode and internal electrical leads and water delivery connections. The design is a relatively simple one that has performed reliably over ~2,000 electrodes installed in the environmental remediation business to date

Electrode Design

Each PDS unit controls the supply of electricity and water for 90 electrodes and monitors the performance of the electrode wells along with other key variables. These PDS units are computer controlled over the internet to achieve uniform heat distribution. PDS units are permanently skid mounted to allow them to be easily moved between locations.

ET-DSP™ equipment is built and operated by McMillan-McGee, a significant shareholder of E-T Energy. For more details please visit www.mcmillan-mcgee.com.