Reclaim Water Transfer

Reclaim water transfer systems move clarified water from tailings ponds back to the process plant for reuse in extraction operations. This recycled water is crucial for sustainability and reducing freshwater consumption in oil sands production.

Challenges:
Reclaim water often contains residual fines, hydrocarbons, and organic matter that can foul pumps and piping. Seasonal temperature changes cause viscosity fluctuations and ice formation risks. Long transfer distances and high flow requirements demand efficient, reliable pumping systems.

Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo pumps are designed to deliver reliable, energy-efficient water transfer in demanding environments. Their corrosion-resistant materials withstand residual hydrocarbons and fine solids, while recessed impellers minimize clogging. Submersible configurations eliminate priming issues and simplify installation, ensuring consistent reclaim water movement year-round.

Froth Sumps

Froth sumps collect and handle aerated bitumen froth that separates during oil sands extraction. The mixture contains bitumen, water, air, and fine solids — a challenging fluid that is both abrasive and highly variable in consistency.

Challenges:
Froth slurries cause conventional pumps to lose prime due to entrained air and fluctuating density. The combination of abrasiveness and gas content leads to cavitation, vibration, and reduced efficiency. Maintaining continuous operation in froth-handling systems is a major reliability challenge.

 Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo’s recessed impeller and tank-style pump designs are ideal for froth applications. Their large, open passages reduce air binding and allow smooth handling of aerated slurries. Optional rubber or high-chrome linings extend wear life, while the ability to operate in partially flooded or fluctuating conditions ensures continuous, stable performance in froth sumps.

Emergency Dump Ponds

Emergency dump ponds are designed to receive large volumes of slurry or process fluid during plant upsets or maintenance shutdowns. These ponds temporarily hold overflow materials from extraction or upgrading operations until they can be reprocessed or safely treated.

Challenges:
Dump ponds contain unpredictable mixtures of bitumen, sand, water, and process chemicals, often with fluctuating levels and extreme temperatures. Solids settle rapidly, creating heavy sludge that clogs suction lines and damages standard pumps. Access and response time are critical during emergencies, so reliability is essential.

Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo’s submersible pumps are ready-to-deploy and built for rugged, emergency conditions. Their agitator design breaks up settled solids and restores flow quickly, while abrasion-resistant construction handles unpredictable slurries. The modular design enables fast setup and recovery, giving operators a dependable tool for rapid response in emergency pond situations.

Mature Fine Tailings (MFT)

Mature fine tailings are a by-product of oil sands extraction, composed of fine clay, silt, water, and residual bitumen. They accumulate in large tailings ponds and require controlled movement for treatment, dewatering, or reclamation processes.

Challenges:
MFT is extremely viscous and thixotropic — it behaves like a solid at rest and a liquid when agitated. Its density and fine particles make it difficult to pump using conventional equipment, leading to frequent plugging, suction loss, and excessive wear. The abrasive nature and variable composition also shorten equipment life and increase downtime.

Solution:
Hevvy/Toyo’s agitator-equipped submersible pumps are engineered to handle high-viscosity, fine-particle slurries like MFT. The built-in agitator re-suspends solids, preventing settling and maintaining consistent flow. With hardened wet ends, recessed impellers, and high-chrome or elastomer linings, Hevvy/Toyo pumps provide reliable, low-maintenance performance in one of the toughest applications in the oil sands industry.