Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080210602 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SEPARATING BITUMEN FROM TAR SANDS - Various methods and systems for obtaining bitumen from tar sands are disclosed. The disclosed methods and/or systems can be used to economically achieve a high degree of bitumen recovery from tar sands. The method may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from the tar sands and results in a bitumen-enriched component and a bitumen-depleted component. The bitumen-enriched component includes mainly solvent and bitumen. The bitumen-depleted component includes mainly water and mineral solids with some residual bitumen and solvent. The bitumen-depleted component may be mixed with liquefied petroleum gas, e.g., propane and/or butane, to further separate the residual solvent and bitumen. The disclosed system can include separators configured to separate the various components at the various stages in the process. | 09-04-2008 |
20080217212 | BITUMINOUS FROTH HYDROCARBON CYCLONE - An apparatus for processing bitumen froth comprising a cyclone body having an elongated conical inner surface defining a cyclone cavity extending from an upper inlet region with a diameter DC to a lower apex outlet with a diameter DU of not less than about 40 mm; an inlet means forming an inlet channel extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity; and a vortex finder forming an overflow outlet of a diameter DO extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity toward said lower apex outlet and having a lower end extending an excursion distance below said inlet channel, said excursion distance being operable to permit a portion of bitumen that passes through said inlet channel to exit said overflow outlet without having to make a spiral journey down said cyclone cavity, wherein a lower end of the vortex finder within the cyclone cavity is disposed a free vortex height (FVH) distance from said lower apex outlet. | 09-11-2008 |
20080223757 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS USING LIME - In a method for enhancing the efficiency of bitumen recovery from oil sands ore, CaO lime (or Ca(OH) | 09-18-2008 |
20080277318 | SEPARATION AND RECOVERY OF BITUMEN OIL FROM TAR SANDS - A process for the separation of bitumen oil from tar sands and the like. Slurry is supplied to a mixing chamber of a jet pump at an input end of the process. The slurry is agitated within the jet pump to effect a partial to full phase separation of the oil fraction from the solids fraction of the slurry. The partially to fully separated slurry is discharged into a pipeline and later into a hydrocyclone to effect a second phase separation of the slurry. One or more hydrocyclone separators may be used to separate the bitumen oil and liquid from the solids fraction. | 11-13-2008 |
20090020458 | RECOVERY OF TAILINGS PONDS - A method of treating tailings comprising a solids fraction and a hydrocarbon fraction is disclosed. A primary flow is supplied to a jet pump, the primary flow comprising water and less than 20% solids by mass. A secondary flow is supplied to a mixing chamber of the jet pump, the secondary flow comprising a slurry of water and tailings, the slurry comprising more solids by mass than the primary flow. The jet pump is operated using the primary flow such that the tailings are agitated to effect at least a partial phase separation of the hydrocarbon fraction from the tailings. The methods disclosed herein may also be applied to treat tailings ponds. | 01-22-2009 |
20090090658 | METHODS FOR ENHANCING EFFICIENCY OF BITUMEN EXTRACTION FROM OIL SANDS USING LIPIDS AND LIPID BY-PRODUCTS AS PROCESS ADDITIVES - In a method for enhancing the efficiency of separation of bitumen from oil sands ore, lipids, lipid by-products, and lipid derivatives are used as process additives for ore-water slurry-based bitumen extraction processes or in situ bitumen recovery processes. The lipids, lipid by-products, and lipid derivatives act as surfactants reducing surface and interfacial tensions, thus promoting breakdown the oil sands ore structure and resultant liberation of bitumen from the ore. Lipid treatment does not deleteriously affect release water chemistry in bitumen recovery processes, and it does not appreciably affect the fuel value of recovered bitumen. Lipids which may be effectively used as additives include biodiesel, tall oil fatty acids, monoglycerides, vegetable oil, and soap water, and combinations thereof. Lipids may also be used as process additives to enhance the efficiency of clean-up of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, in the production of bitumen-water or oil-water emulsions, and to enhance the transportability of emulsions such as in pipelines. | 04-09-2009 |
20090120844 | PROCESS FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECOVERY AND CRACKING/UPGRADING OF OIL FROM SOLIDS - The present invention relates to a process for the simultaneous recovery and cracking/upgrading of oil from solids such as tar sand and oil shale. With this process a number of the obstacles with the existing technology are solved, and the process upgrades the oil into a lighter product than the existing technology, remove sulphur in the order of 40% and heavy metals in the order of 90%. | 05-14-2009 |
20090139905 | ENDLESS CABLE SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A separation apparatus can include at least one endless cable. The cable can be wrapped around at least two revolvable cylindrical members a plurality of times. The wraps can form gaps between adjacent windings, which, along with the endless cable, can be used to facilitate separations processing. Additionally, the separation apparatus can optionally include a repositioning guide for each multiple wrap endless cable that can guide the endless cable in an endless route and prevent the cable from rolling off or falling off of the cylindrical members. Separation can be accomplished by oleophilic adherence to the cable, electrostatic adherence to the cable, and/or physical retention on the cable. This endless cable system can be particularly useful for separation of oil sand slurries, mass transfer operations, and physical separations. | 06-04-2009 |
20090145809 | Compositions for oil recovery and methods of using same - A method of removing bitumen from tar sands comprising contacting the tar sands with a first mixture comprising a petroleum distillate and an oxygenated solvent, and recovering a second mixture comprising (a) at least a portion of the petroleum distillate and oxygenated solvent from the first mixture, (b) bitumen and (c) sand having a reduced amount of bitumen. | 06-11-2009 |
20090200209 | Upgrading Bitumen In A Paraffinic Froth Treatment Process - The invention relates to an improved bitumen recovery process. The process includes adding water to a bitumen-froth/solvent system containing asphaltenes and mineral solids. The addition of water in droplets increases the settling rate of asphaltenes and mineral solids to more effectively treat the bitumen for pipeline transport, further enhancement, refining, or any other application of reduced-solids bitumen. | 08-13-2009 |
20090242463 | Process And System Improvement For Improving And Recuperating Waste, Heavy And Extra Heavy Hydrocarbons - A continuous process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon includes the steps of: obtaining a heavy hydrocarbon; heating the heavy hydrocarbon; contacting the heavy hydrocarbon with a solvent at upgrading conditions so as to produce a first product comprising a mixture of upgraded hydrocarbon and solvent and a second product comprising asphaltene waste and water; continuously feeding the first product and the second product to a first separator; heating the first product; and continuously feeding the first product to a second separator to separate the upgraded hydrocarbon from the solvent. A system is also provided. | 10-01-2009 |
20090250380 | METHODS OF TRANSPORTING HEAVY HYDROCARBONS - A method of transporting heavy hydrocarbons can include blending a kerogen oil with a bitumen to form a blended oil sufficient to render the blended oil transportable through an extended pipeline. The blended oil can be substantially free of additional diluents or viscosity modifiers and can be readily pumped through the extended pipeline from a source location to a destination location. | 10-08-2009 |
20090250381 | Extraction of Hydrocarbons from Hydrocarbon-Containing Materials and/or Processing of Hydrocarbon-Containing Materials - A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted. | 10-08-2009 |
20090261021 | Oil sands processing - Some embodiments relate to an oil sands processing system comprising a release tube, a water supply nozzle and an intake nozzle forming an inlet of the tube, with the nozzles configured to pass water from the supply nozzle to the intake nozzle across a gap positioned to receive oil sand and air to form a slurry for passage along a flow path, with the intake nozzle diameter being larger than the supply nozzle diameter and the tube further comprising a constriction comprising a diameter that is less than the intake nozzle diameter and greater than the supply nozzle diameter. | 10-22-2009 |
20090288994 | PROCESS FOR EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN FROM OILSANDS - Bitumen within raw oilsands may be cracked and fully recovered by light hydrocarbon extraction following exposure to modified natural zeolite catalysts under cracking conditions. The recovered bitumen is reduced in viscosity, with lower boiling point distributions. Effective cracking of oilsands bitumen using economical, abundant and readily disposable natural zeolites represents a significant step towards a waterless and environment friendly extraction process. | 11-26-2009 |
20090294332 | System For Separating Bitumen From Oil Sands - Disclosed is a system for processing oil sands to remove bitumen, the viscous petroleum product adhered to the sands, from the sands itself. The processing system is designed to be substantially air tight, preventing outside air from entering and volatile chemicals from escaping from the system. Mined oil sands are delivered to the system, which creates a slurry of oil sands and solvent in a slurry chamber. The slurry is transported to a dissolution chamber which conditions the slurry before the slurry is sent to an extraction chamber. A plurality of trays and scrapers further conditions the slurry to remove bitumen. The use of heavy, aromatic solvents and light, paraffinic solvents in sequence improves bitumen recovery while allowing environmentally safe processing of the sands to occur in a later step. The sands are dried and the solvent recovered for recycling and reuse in the system. Clean, dry sands are returned to the source of mined oil sands for reclamation. | 12-03-2009 |
20090301937 | DRY,STACKABLE TAILINGS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The methods may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from a material comprising bitumen and produces first solvent-wet tailings. The first solvent-wet tailings are washed with a second solvent that removes the first solvent from the tailings. Second solvent remaining in the tailings is removed to thereby produce solvent-dry, stackable tailings. | 12-10-2009 |
20090321322 | OPTIMIZING FEED MIXER PERFORMANCE IN A PARAFFINIC FROTH TREATMENT PROCESS - The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. One process provides for operation of a bitumen froth treatment plant at optimum shear rates in the feed pipe carrying the bitumen froth to the froth settling unit. Another process provides for optimizing the design of a bitumen froth treatment plant by optimizing the diameter of the feed pipe to impart an optimum shear rate to the bitumen froth mixture and further optimizing the volume of the feed pipe to impart an optimum residence time for the bitumen froth stream in the feed pipe. An optimal plant design is also disclosed, the plant including optimal diameter and volume of the feed pipe. | 12-31-2009 |
20090321323 | Optimizing Heavy Oil Recovery Processes Using Electrostatic Desalters - The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. The process may include providing a bitumen froth feed stream, separating the stream in a froth separation unit to produce a diluted bitumen stream, treating the diluted bitumen stream in an electrostatic desalter to produce a treated bitumen stream, and separating the treated bitumen stream into a solvent recycle stream and a bitumen product stream. The system may include a combined AC/DC desalter with a control unit for optimizing the treatment process to produce a product bitumen stream using less solvent and smaller separators than conventional bitumen froth treatment plants and processes. | 12-31-2009 |
20090321324 | Fouling Reduction In A Paraffinic Froth Treatment Process By Solubility Control - The disclosure relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. In particular, the disclosure teaches processes and systems for recovering heavy crude oil while avoiding fouling of equipment by recycling at least a portion of a product bitumen from a solvent recovery unit for mixing with an overhead bitumen stream that may be a diluted bitumen stream containing solvent and bitumen. The overhead bitumen stream is a near-incompatible stream and the stream of mixed overhead bitumen stream and the treated bitumen stream is a compatible stream that will not foul equipment upon heating. | 12-31-2009 |
20090321325 | SEPARATING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE - Compositions and methods are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands in an efficient and environmentally acceptable manner, and for recovering residual bitumen from existing tailings ponds. | 12-31-2009 |
20100032348 | METHODS FOR OBTAINING BITUMEN FROM BITUMINOUS MATERIALS - Methods for obtaining bitumen from bituminous material. The methods may include a dissolution step where a first solvent is added to material comprising bitumen to dissolve the bitumen contained therein. The majority of the dissolved bitumen is then removed from the mixture of first solvent and material comprising bitumen by filtering or settling the mixture of first solvent and material comprising bitumen. Any residual dissolved bitumen is then removed from the mixture of first solvent and material comprising bitumen by adding additional first solvent to the mixture to displace the residual dissolved bitumen from the mixture. | 02-11-2010 |
20100044276 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CREATE AN OIL SAND SLURRY - An improved method and apparatus for preparing and oil sand slurry. Mined oil sand ore is deposited into a rotatable breaker tube. As the rotary breaker rotates, the ore is advanced and broken. Process fluid may be differentially distributed throughout the length of the rotary breaker, forming an oil sand slurry and assisting in the comminution and ablation of the ore. The comminuted oil sand and process fluid passes through perforations in the interior surface of the rotary breaker, and are collected in a hopper below, while oversized ore lumps are ejected out of the discharge end of the rotary breaker. The rotatable breaker tube is resistant to backflow at higher infeed rates. | 02-25-2010 |
20100051511 | Method For Releasing Organics From Shale And Like Materials To Produce A Liquid Shale Fuel - Method for release of organic materials from shale oil and like solid substances, by treating shale oil powder in a liquid medium, with vortical movements, wave movements, acoustic turbulent streams, or combinations thereof. The treatment causes foaming of the liquid medium followed by separation of the foam from the liquid medium, whereby the foam is enriched with organic materials released from the shale oil powder. The foam can be placed in a liquid organic solvent and treated with vortical movements, wave movements, acoustic turbulent streams, or combinations thereof. The treatment causes the extraction of hydrocarbons into the solvent, and the inorganic shale material to precipitate. The remaining inorganic sold material can be utilized in the manufacture of construction materials. The obtained solution of the extracted hydrocarbons into the solvent represents a synthetic fuel, which could be used after slight reforming as motor fuel, jet fuel, or the like. | 03-04-2010 |
20100072110 | HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION BY OLEOPHILIC BEADS FROM AQUEOUS MIXTURES - A method and system for recovering fluid (e.g. liquid) hydrocarbons from both naturally-occurring and man-made mixtures of hydrocarbons and mineral substrates by the exploiting of buoyant beads. | 03-25-2010 |
20100089800 | BITUMEN FROTH TREATING PROCESS - A process for treating a bitumen froth containing bitumen, solid mineral material and water, including subjecting a first mixture containing the bitumen froth and a first amount of a paraffinic solvent to first gravity separation, thereby producing a first overflow stream and a first underflow stream, wherein the first gravity separation is performed so that the first underflow stream contains between about 5 percent and about 40 percent by weight of the asphaltenes contained in the first mixture. A second mixture containing the first underflow stream and a second amount of the paraffinic solvent is subjected to second gravity separation in order to recover bitumen from the first underflow stream. | 04-15-2010 |
20100101980 | EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS - Carbon disulfide is used as a solvent to extract bitumen from oil sands in an anhydrous countercurrent flow process that is compatible with existing procedures for upgrading bitumen. The solution is then fractionated to separate the carbon disulfide from the bitumen product. The bitumen is then treated with hydrogen to decompose the remaining carbon disulfide. The process should provide high yields and meet environmental concerns. | 04-29-2010 |
20100108572 | APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR WET CRUSHING OIL SAND - A system for forming an oil sand slurry from mined oil sand is provided, comprising a slurry preparation tower having an intake opening through which oil sand enters the slurry preparation tower, a first sizer device to comminute the oil sand passing through it, a second sizer device to further comminute the oil sand, and a pump box for receiving oil sand that has passed through the second sizer and feeding it to a pump; at least one conveyor, having a discharge end, for transporting mined oil sand to the slurry preparation tower; a metal detector for detecting a piece of metal in the mined oil sand and transmitting a signal; and a metal rejection device operative to, in response to the signal from the metal detector, reject a portion of oil sand containing the piece of metal before the portion of oil sand enters the slurry preparation tower. | 05-06-2010 |
20100126910 | PROCESS FOR FLOCCULATION OF A TAILINGS STREAM - A process for the treatment of a tailings stream is provided. The tailings stream comprises water, sand and clay fines and is produced from bitumen extraction process of an oil sands ore. The process for treating the tailings stream comprises contacting a polysilicate microgel, a polyacrylamide and one or both of a multivalent metal compound and a low molecular weight cationic organic polymer with a tailings stream to flocculate sand and clay fines. | 05-27-2010 |
20100133149 | TWO-STAGE PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF TAR SAND TO LIQUID FUELS AND SPECIALTY CHEMICALS - A process is disclosed for converting Tar Sand to fuels and/or valuable chemicais. The process comprises the steps of a) activating Tar Sand to make it more susceptible to conversion; c) partially converting the Tar Sand to a solubilized material; and d) subjecting the unconverted Tar Sand to a second conversion step. The process optionally comprises a step b) of adding a solvent to the activated Tar Sand. In a preferred embodiment the solubilized Tar Sand obtained in step c) is removed before the unconverted Tar Sand is subjected to step d). | 06-03-2010 |
20100133150 | Use of A Fluorocarbon Polymer as A Surface Of A Vessel or Conduit Used In A Paraffinic Froth Treatment Process For Reducing Fouling - A use of a fluorocarbon polymer as a surface of a vessel or conduit in a paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) process, for reducing fouling. The foulant comprises asphaltenes. The surface has an average water contact angle of greater than 90 degrees, a standard deviation of water contact angles divided by the average water contact angle of less than 0.1, and impurities of less than 1000 ppmw. The fluorocarbon polymer may be a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based polymer. The surface may be substantially free of colorants, fillers, and plasticizers. | 06-03-2010 |
20100155305 | SIZING ROLLER SCREEN ORE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A mined ore processing apparatus to process mined ores, such as oil sands ore, into granular material is disclosed. An ore processor bed receives the ore to be processed. The ore processor bed has a frame supporting several rotating elements each separately driven to provide independent rotation rate and direction from the other. The ore processing bed is operable as a sizing device to decimate mined ore supply into granular material and separating it from rocks and other large lump mineral materials found in situ. The ore processing bed may be oriented to provide an upward inclination, which, when combined with alternating rotating element rotation directions, provides a crushing action to the ore material to crush larger rock. Alternately, a rock crusher is also provided to disintegrate oversized materials. | 06-24-2010 |
20100176033 | SYSTEM FOR REMOVING TAR OIL FROM SAND AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OIL FROM SAND - A method of extracting oil from sand. The method includes extracting a mass containing sand and oil and translating the sand and oil to a mixing tank. A solution containing terpenes is injected into the mixing tank using an eddy pump and the eddy pump creates a vortex within the mixing tank in order to separate the sand from the oil. The separated sand and oil is then moved from the mixing tank to a separation tank wherein pumps in the mixing tank continue to act upon the sand and oil to separate the two apart so that a water and sand mixture is in an upper portion of the mixing tank while oil is translated to a bottom portion of the separation tank. The sand and water can then be translated to an accumulation tank while the oil is taken to a collection tank for use. | 07-15-2010 |
20100181231 | Method and apparatus for oil recovery from tar sands - A process for bitumen extraction from hydrocarbonaceous solids, such as tar sand or oil shale, is performed in fluidized bed of a swirl reactor. This provides active interaction of three phases: 1) liquid phase—bituminous oil with solvent; 2) solid phase—sand grains, clay; 3) gaseous phase—steam and gasses. The process also involves the step of pressure decrease inside the reactor to activate a gas desorption dissolved in bituminous sand mixture. The process of separation of the bitumen and sand combines centrifuging and discharging individual products for further processing. | 07-22-2010 |
20100187161 | PROCESS AND PLANT FOR REFINING OIL-CONTAINING SOLIDS - For refining oil-containing solids, in particular oil sand or oil shale, there is proposed a process with the following steps:
| 07-29-2010 |
20100193403 | PROCESSES FOR BITUMEN SEPARATION - Processes are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands and from other bitumen-containing compositions. | 08-05-2010 |
20100193404 | SEPARATING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE - Compositions and methods are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands in an efficient and environmentally acceptable manner, and for recovering residual bitumen from existing tailings ponds. | 08-05-2010 |
20100200463 | PROCESS FOR THE HYDROCONVERSION OF HEAVY OILS - A process for the conversion of heavy oils comprising sending the heavy oil to hydrotreatment, of the high severity type, in the presence of high concentrations of a suitable hydrogenation catalyst dispersed in slurry phase, effected in a suitable solid accumulation reactor capable of operating stably in the presence of solids deriving from and generated by the feedstock charged, wherein the hydrogen or mixtures thereof is fed at suitable flow-rates and suitably distributed, obtaining the conversion products in vapour phase directly in the reactor. | 08-12-2010 |
20100200464 | VAPOR COLLECTION AND BARRIER SYSTEMS FOR ENCAPSULATED CONTROL INFRASTRUCTURES - A method of preventing egress of a vapor from an encapsulated volume can include forming a substantially impermeable vapor barrier along an inner surface of the encapsulated volume. The encapsulated volume includes a permeable body of comminuted hydro carbonaceous material. Further, the vapor barrier can include an insulating layer capable of maintaining a temperature gradient of at least 400° F. across the insulating layer. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to liberate hydrocarbons therefrom and the hydrocarbons can be collected from the permeable body. The vapor barrier layer can be a single or multiple layer construction, depending on the specific materials chosen. | 08-12-2010 |
20100200465 | CARBON MANAGEMENT AND SEQUESTRATION FROM ENCAPSULATED CONTROL INFRASTRUCTURES - A method of sequestering carbon dioxide emissions during recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating, the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Additionally, during heating, any carbon dioxide that is produced can be sequestered. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered. | 08-12-2010 |
20100200466 | METHODS OF RECOVERING MINERALS FROM HYDROCARBONACEOUS MATERIAL USING A CONSTRUCTED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS - A method of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be contacted with an agent sufficient to remove minerals therefrom. The agent is typically a solution containing a solvent, leachant, chelating agent and the like via which minerals can be removed having value, toxic minerals, radioactive minerals and the like. | 08-12-2010 |
20100200467 | METHODS OF RECOVERING HYDROCARBONS FROM HYDROCARBONACEOUS MATERIAL USING A CONSTRUCTED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS MAINTAINED UNDER POSITIVE PRESSURE - A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process. | 08-12-2010 |
20100200468 | CONVECTIVE HEAT SYSTEMS FOR RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM ENCAPSULATED PERMEABILITY CONTROL INFRASTRUCTURES - A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The infrastructure can also include a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The infrastructure can further include at least one convection driving conduit oriented in a lower portion of the permeable body to generate bulk convective flow patterns throughout the permeable body. An associated method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. A heated fluid can be passed throughout the permeable body in bulk convective flow patterns to remove hydrocarbons from the permeable body. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing and/or use. | 08-12-2010 |
20100200469 | SEPARATING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE - Compositions and methods are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands in an efficient and environmentally acceptable manner, and for recovering residual bitumen from existing tailings ponds. | 08-12-2010 |
20100200470 | SEPARATING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE - Compositions and methods are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands in an efficient and environmentally acceptable manner, and for recovering residual bitumen from existing tailings ponds. | 08-12-2010 |
20100219104 | INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF FEEDSTOCKS CONTAINING COAL INTO LIQUID PRODUCTS - The present invention relates to an integrated process for the conversion of feedstocks containing coal into liquid products by jointly using at least the following seven process units: coal liquefaction, flash or distillation of the product obtained from the liquefaction, extraction with a solvent to remove the ashes, distillation to separate the solvent, hydroconversion with catalysts in slurry phase, distillation or flash of the production obtained from the hydroconversion, and deasphalting with a solvent. | 09-02-2010 |
20100236991 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM TAR SAND - An improved system for removing bitumen from tar sands comprises a pre-treatment system utilizing a vibratory load hopper for classifying and sizing said tar sand particles communicating with a dryer for heating and drying said tar sand particles to a predetermined temperature thereby controlling the moisture content of said tar sands. An extraction system is also included for accepting said tar sands from the dryer comprising a plurality of extraction vessels arranged in series for transporting said tar sands from a first extraction vessel to a final extraction vessel. Furthermore, a solvent system for supplying a predetermined volume of solvent flow through said extraction vessels is employed, whereby solvent is supplied to the last extraction vessel and a solvent and bitumen mixture is withdrawn from the first extraction vessel. | 09-23-2010 |
20100243534 | SILICATES ADDITION IN BITUMEN FROTH TREATMENT - A method for processing a bitumen froth comprising bitumen, water and solids including fine solids for reducing the solids concentration in diluted bitumen is provided comprising diluting the bitumen froth with a hydrocarbon diluent to form a dilfroth; adding a sufficient amount of a silicate to the dilfroth to cause a substantial amount of fine solids to associate with the water instead of the diluted bitumen; and allowing the diluted bitumen to separate from the water containing the substantial amount of fine solids to produce a dilbit having less than 3 percent by weight solids. | 09-30-2010 |
20100258477 | COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESSES FOR SEPARATION OF BITUMEN FROM OIL SAND ORES - Compositions and processes for separating bitumen from oil sands ore include contacting the oil sand ores with a composition including a carboxylate salt and/or acid and an aqueous liquid carrier. The carboxylate salt and/or acid is a C | 10-14-2010 |
20100288677 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION - Systems and methods for hydrocarbon extraction from hydrocarbon-containing material. Such systems and methods relate to extracting hydrocarbon from hydrocarbon-containing material employing a non-aqueous extractant. Additionally, such systems and methods relate to recovering and reusing non-aqueous extractant employed for extracting hydrocarbon from hydrocarbon-containing material. | 11-18-2010 |
20110005976 | ENHANCED PROCESS FOR THE HYDROCONVERSION OF HEAVY OILS THROUGH EBULLATED-BED SYSTEMS - Process for the hydroconversion of heavy oils, selected from crude oils, heavy crude oils, bitumens from tar sands, distillation residues, distillation heavy cuts, distillation deasphalted residues, vegetable oils, oils from coal and oil shale, oils from the thermodecomposition of waste material, polymers, biomasses, comprising sending the heavy oil to a hydroconversion area, effected in one or more ebullated bed reactors, wherein hydrogen is introduced, in the presence of a suitable heterogeneous, supported, hydroconversion catalyst, in addition to a suitable hydrogenation catalyst, nano-dispersed in said heavy oil, and sending the stream coming from the hydroconversion area to a separation area, in which the separated liquid fraction, containing the nano-dispersed catalyst, is recycled to the ebullated bed reactor(s). | 01-13-2011 |
20110017642 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING MATERIAL COMPRISING BITUMEN INTO LIGHT HYDROCARBON LIQUID PRODUCT - Various methods and systems for obtaining light hydrocarbon distillate from material comprising bitumen are disclosed. The method may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from the material comprising bitumen and results in a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and first solvent-wet tailings. The bitumen-enriched solvent phase includes mainly solvent and bitumen. The bitumen-enriched solvent phase is injected into a nozzle reactor wherein at least a portion of the bitumen is cracked into light hydrocarbon distillate. The light hydrocarbon distillate may then be used as solvent in the first primary leaching or extraction step. | 01-27-2011 |
20110049016 | BITUMEN UPGRADING USING SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS - The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours. | 03-03-2011 |
20110062057 | METHODS FOR OBTAINING BITUMEN FROM BITUMINOUS MATERIALS - Methods for extracting bitumen from bituminous material through the use of a polar solvent. The method may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from a material comprising bitumen and produces first solvent-wet tailings. A polar solvent is added to the first solvent-wet tailings in order to remove the first solvent (plus any entrained bitumen) from the tailings. A mixture of polar solvent and first solvent produced by the addition of the polar solvent to the first solvent-wet tailings may be phase separated by maintaining the polar solvent-first solvent mixture for a period of time. Alternatively, the polar solvent and first solvent may leave the tailings in a phase separated state. Phase separation may occur due to the presence of water in the polar solvent-first solvent mixture. Water may also be added to the mixture of solvents to serve as an antisolvent and initiate phase separation. The separated solvents may then be recovered and reused in the method. | 03-17-2011 |
20110094940 | Method for the pyrolytic extraction of hydrocarbon from oil shale - A method for the pyrolytic extraction of hydrocarbons such as shale oil from kerogen containing oil shale. Oil shale which has been ground into particulate form, is cascaded downwardly between a plurality of rotating trays within a heated processing chamber. As the hydrocarbons are volatized within the chamber, the volatiles are collected and condensed within a condenser or other suitable recovery apparatus. | 04-28-2011 |
20110114539 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OIL SANDS PROCESSING - The systems and methods described herein provide for extracting bitumen from oil sands at ambient or subambient temperature, for example at temperatures between 0 degrees Centigrade and about 20 degrees Centigrade. The process includes the steps of forming a slurry by mixing the oil sands with water, adding an extractant to the slurry, agitating the extractant with the slurry, and collecting bitumen that separates from the slurry. | 05-19-2011 |
20110127197 | CLOSED LOOP SOLVENT EXTRACTION PROCESS FOR OIL SANDS - The present invention is directed to a method comprising contacting an oil sand with a suitable solvent to generate a solvated oil sand slurry; separating solvent-diluted bitumen from the solvated oil sand slurry to generate (a) a solvent-diluted bitumen and (b) a slurry with increased solids concentration; and filtering the slurry with increased solids concentration. The method of the present invention may be used to produce a low ash bitumen product and dry tailings from oil sands. | 06-02-2011 |
20110127198 | OIL SAND SLURRY SOLIDS REDUCTION TO ENHANCE EXTRACTION PERFORMANCE FOR PROBLEM ORES - A process for extracting bitumen from problem oil sand ores having low bitumen content and/or high fines content is provided, comprising: mixing the problem oil sand ore with heated water to produce an oil sand slurry; conditioning the oil sand slurry for a period of time sufficient to substantially disperse oil sand lumps and promote the release and coalescence of bitumen flecks from the sand grains; removing a sufficient amount of solids from the conditioned oil sand slurry in a de-sander circuit; and subjecting the solids-reduced oil sand slurry to gravity separation in a bitumen separation vessel to allow the bitumen to float to the top of the vessel to form clean bitumen froth. | 06-02-2011 |
20110147276 | METHOD FOR RECOVERING BITUMEN FROM OIL SAND - In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for recovering bitumen from an oil sand, the method comprising: (a) contacting a bitumen-containing oil sand with a first solvent mixture of cyclohexane and ethanol to provide an extraction mixture comprising a sand phase and an organic phase; (b) separating the sand phase from the organic phase comprising bitumen, ethanol and cyclohexane; (c) separating an azeotropic mixture comprising cyclohexane and ethanol from the organic phase; and (d) recovering bitumen from the organic phase. The first solvent mixture comprises from about 95 to about 65 percent cyclohexane and from about 5 to about 35 percent ethanol. | 06-23-2011 |
20110155648 | METHODS FOR OBTAINING BITUMEN FROM BITUMINOUS MATERIALS - A method of extracting bitumen from bituminous material. In some embodiments, the method may include loading a bitumen material in a column, followed by feeding a first quantity of first solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting the bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column. A quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent may then be fed into the column. In some embodiments, the method may include simultaneously loading bitumen material and a first solvent in a column, followed by feeding additional first solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column, and feeding a quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent into the column. | 06-30-2011 |
20110163012 | Slurry Treatment Method and Apparatus - A method of extracting bitumen from tar sands includes providing an apparatus for mixing fluids, the apparatus including: a housing, a substantially cylindrical rotor rotatably mounted within the interior chamber, a first array of spaced bores formed in the peripheral surface of the rotor, a second array of spaced bores formed in the peripheral surface of the rotor, a first fluid inlet in the housing, a second fluid inlet in the housing, and a fluid outlet in the housing positioned for withdrawal of fluid from the chamber to minimize cavitation damage at the location of the fluid outlet, and providing a separation composition at the second predetermined location, the separation composition including: a wetting agent in the amount of from about 0.001% to about 2.5% by weight of the separating composition, a hydrotropic agent, and a dispersant having flocculating characteristics, wherein the separating composition has a pH greater than 7.5. | 07-07-2011 |
20110174694 | PRODUCING HYDROCARBONS FROM OIL SHALE BASED ON CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PRODUCTION OF OIL AND BITUMEN ARE OPTIMIZED - Kerogen in oil shale is converted to bitumen, oil, gases and coke via a retorting process. The vaporizable oil and gases are then recovered. Following the retorting process, bitumen is recovered via solvent extraction. The overall conversion process is enhanced by calculating conditions to optimize recovery of both oil and bitumen. This can be accomplished by either separately calculating conditions for which production of vaporizable oil and production of bitumen are optimized, or calculating conditions for which production of vaporizable oil and production of bitumen are optimized by applying a maximizing function to combined vaporizable oil and bitumen data. An advantage of this technique is that greater efficiency is achieved because the time duration of heating associated with the retorting process can be reduced and product yields increased. | 07-21-2011 |
20110174695 | PROCESSES FOR RECYCLING SAG-D PROCESS WATER AND CLEANING DRILL CUTTINGS - A method of treating slop oil and slops from the SAG-D (steam assisted gravity-drainage) very heavy oil-bitumen crude oil production in such locations as Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces in Canada, Russia, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Kern County, Calif., involves mixing the slop oil and slops with chemicals to help separate out water from the slop oil and slops. | 07-21-2011 |
20110203973 | PROCESS FOR UPGRADING HYDROCARBONS AND DEVICE FOR USE THEREIN - A process is disclosed using a dispersion of supercritical fluid and oil to upgrade a hydrocarbon feedstock such as a heavy oil into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or synthetic crude with highly desirable properties such as low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API), lower viscosity, lower residuum content, etc. The process utilizes a capillary mixer to form the dispersion. The process does not require external supply of hydrogen nor does it use externally supplied catalysts. | 08-25-2011 |
20110226672 | Methods and Devices for Extracting Hydrocarbons From Oil Sand - A method and a device for carrying out the method for extracting hydrocarbons from oil sand uses organic extractants and a filter apparatus with a continuous rotary filter as well as a steaming unit. | 09-22-2011 |
20110233115 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING FROTH TREATMENT TAILINGS - A method for processing froth treatment tailings, including separating the froth treatment tailings in order to produce a coarse mineral material fraction and a fine mineral material fraction therefrom, subjecting the coarse mineral material fraction to froth flotation in order to produce a heavy mineral concentrate and a coarse mineral material tailings therefrom, and subjecting the heavy mineral concentrate to solvent extraction in order to produce a debitumenized heavy mineral concentrate and a bitumen extract therefrom. | 09-29-2011 |
20110253599 | PROCESSING AIDS TO IMPROVE THE BITUMEN RECOVERY AND FROTH QUALITY IN OIL SANDS EXTRACTION PROCESSES - Disclosed and claimed is a method for improving the froth quality and bitumen recovery in primary bitumen extraction processes by coagulant addition in the underwash feed water. Preferred coagulants are cationic or amphoteric polymers. Coagulant addition in the underwash feed water reduces the solids content reporting to the primary bitumen froth in a primary separation vessel (PSC). This treatment program can also be combined with dispersant addition in the dilution make-up feed water into a PSC. Preferred dispersants are low molecular weight anionic polymers. | 10-20-2011 |
20110266198 | BITUMEN EXTRACTION AND ASPHALTENE REMOVAL FROM HEAVY CRUDE USING HIGH SHEAR - Herein disclosed is a method of removing at least one component from a feed by subjecting the feed to high shear in the presence of carbon dioxide to produce a high shear-treated product and separating the at least one component from the high shear-treated product to produce a component-reduced product. Also disclosed is a method of removing asphaltenes from asphaltenic oil by subjecting the asphaltenic oil to a shear rate of at least 10,000 s | 11-03-2011 |
20110284427 | PROCESSING MIXTURES OF HYDROCARBONS AND WATER - A method of facilitating separation of hydrocarbon from a mixture comprising 5 hydrocarbons and water is disclosed. The mixture is exposed to a composition comprising at least certain polymeric surfactants such that at least a portion of the hydrocarbons forms a separate layer from the remaining portion of the mixture. The disclosure further provides a use of certain polymeric surfactants to at least partially separate hydrocarbon from a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and water such that at least a portion of the 10 hydrocarbons forms a separate layer from the remaining portion of the mixture. The disclosure further provides a method of removing a sludge comprising a mixture of petroleum and water from a surface, the method comprising treating the sludge with an amount of a composition comprising certain polymeric surfactants effective to remove the sludge from the surface. | 11-24-2011 |
20110284428 | Recovery of Hydrocarbon From Aqueous Streams - A process is described for pre-treating an aqueous bituminous feed for downstream bitumen extraction. The process involves removing water from an aqueous bituminous feed having a water content of 60% or more by weight. After water is removed, an effluent comprising 40% water or less is formed, and is ready for downstream extraction. In the downstream extraction process, a dual solvent extraction process may be employed, incorporating agglomeration of fines to simplify subsequent solid-liquid separation. The process permits recovery of hydrocarbon that has conventionally remained in waste streams from oil sands processing, and thus has conventionally been lost. In one embodiment, removing water comprises subjecting the aqueous bituminous feed to a primary water separation system to reduce the water content of the feed, followed by subsequent water removal, thereby producing an effluent having a water content of 40% or less, which can then go on to further processing. | 11-24-2011 |
20110309001 | LOW INTERFACIAL TENSION SURFACTANTS FOR PETROLEUM APPLICATIONS - The invention relates to a class of novel surfactants that have utility in the recovery and/or extraction of oil. | 12-22-2011 |
20110309002 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING BITUMEN FROM CRUDE OIL SANDS - A method for separating bitumen from crude oil sands comprises subjecting crude oil sands to vibration selected to cause bitumen to separate from crude oil sands and filtering the separated bitumen from the crude oil sands. | 12-22-2011 |
20120000831 | METHODS FOR SEPARATING A FEED MATERIAL DERIVED FROM A PROCESS FOR RECOVERING BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS - Separation methods for producing an extract and a raffinate from a solvent extraction feed material, wherein the feed material is derived from a process for recovering bitumen from oil sands. The methods may include producing an intra-stage recycle component from an overflow zone of a solvent extraction stage and recycling the intra-stage recycle component to the solvent extraction stage, and/or the methods may include providing an underflow component withdrawal rate for a solvent extraction stage other than a final solvent extraction stage which is greater than an underflow component withdrawal rate for the final solvent extraction stage. | 01-05-2012 |
20120061296 | CONTINUOUS LOADING AND UNLOADING CENTRIFUGE - A system for treating tar sand involving a centrifuge where under centrifugal force solvent treated tar sand and water form a three layer system of wet sand, water, and petroleum, where solvent solubilized hydrocarbons are stripped from the wet sand layer, passed through the water, and into the petroleum layer. The hydrocarbons are skimmed from the hydrocarbon layer and recovered. | 03-15-2012 |
20120061297 | PROCESSES FOR BITUMEN SEPARATION - Processes are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands and from other bitumen-containing compositions. | 03-15-2012 |
20120074044 | PROCESSING OF DEHYDRATED AND SALTY HYDROCARBON FEEDS - The invention provides for processing a dehydrated and salty hydrocarbon feed having a solid salt dispersed in a hydrocarbon material by contacting the feed with an active agent under a first operating condition under which the active agent has an initial active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon material, and modulating operating conditions to provide a second operating condition under which the active agent has a secondary active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon material that is less than the initial active agent solubility so as to form a separable active agent phase, wherein the salt solubility in the active agent is substantially greater than the salt solubility in the hydrocarbon material under both the first and second operating conditions such that the salt dissolves in the active agent, allowing the separable active agent phase to separate from the hydrocarbon material depleted in the salt. | 03-29-2012 |
20120091041 | HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM OIL SAND - This invention provides a process for producing a crude oil composition from oil sand using a solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon mixture to extract or remove only a portion of the bitumen on the oil sand. The solvent type and the manner by which the extraction process is carried out has substantial impact on the quality of the extracted oil component. The solvent is designed so that it has the desired Hansen solubility parameters that enable the partial extraction of the desired oil composition. The solvent is further designed so that it can be comprised of multiple hydrocarbons having the appropriate boiling point ranges that enable the solvent to be easily recovered and recycle, without the need to externally provide for solvent make-up. | 04-19-2012 |
20120145602 | PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN AND DRYING THE TAILINGS - A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen. | 06-14-2012 |
20120145603 | Process for Extracting Bitumen and Drying the Tailings - A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen. | 06-14-2012 |
20120152809 | Methods and Apparatus for Bitumen Extraction - Methods and system for extracting bitumen can include the use of a mixing drum for spraying solvent over bituminous material to help dissolve bitumen and create a bitumen-laden solvent phase that can be separated from the non-bituminous components of the bituminous material. The mixing drum can be rotating during the spraying step to help promote dissolution of bitumen. The mixing drum can also include an internal screen for separating bitumen-laden solvent from the non-bituminous material. In some embodiments, two or more mixing drums are used in series, with the non-bituminous material from the first mixing drum being sprayed with additional solvent in the second mixing drum and bitumen laden solvent from the second mixing drum being used as the solvent sprayed over bituminous material in the first mixing drum. Hydrocyclones can also be incorporated in the in system and methods for increased extraction efficiency. | 06-21-2012 |
20120160743 | PROCESS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM OIL SANDS AND OIL SHALE - Process for the extraction of hydrocarbons contained in oil sands and oil shale comprising feeding said oil sands or oil shale to a suitable apparatus in which they are heated, directly and/or by means of a suitable vector fluid, making use of solar energy collected by means of optical concentration systems. | 06-28-2012 |
20120168353 | Methods For Separation of Bitumen From Oil Sands - Methods of separating a viscous hydrocarbon from an ore are conducted at an oil extraction facility. The methods include transporting a slurry to a separation vessel. The transport may take place substantially without the use of an air compressor and without the injection of air into the slurry along a hydro-transport line. The methods also include mixing a plurality of beads into the slurry. The beads have a specific gravity that is less than about 0.95. The beads are used in lieu of air. The beads have an outer oleophilic surface for retaining oil, thereby aiding in the separation process. The beads are substantially coated with bitumen prior to introduction to the slurry. The method then includes separating the slurry into a first solution comprising primarily bitumen and the oleophilic beads, and a second solution comprising primarily water and sand. | 07-05-2012 |
20120217187 | Optimizing Heavy Oil Recovery Processes Using Electrostatic Desalters - The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. The process may include providing a bitumen froth feed stream, separating the stream in a froth separation unit to produce a diluted bitumen stream, treating the diluted bitumen stream in an electrostatic desalter to produce a treated bitumen stream, and separating the treated bitumen stream into a solvent recycle stream and a bitumen product stream. The system may include a combined AC/DC desalter with a control unit for optimizing the treatment process to produce a product bitumen stream using less solvent and smaller separators than conventional bitumen froth treatment plants and processes. | 08-30-2012 |
20120255887 | Method for Recovering Hydrocarbon from Tar Sand Using Nanofluid - Method for recovery of bitumen from tar sand is provided. An aqueous fluid containing a wetting agent and nanoparticles is injected into a first horizontal well at a temperature above reservoir temperature. Bitumen is released from sand grains and flows into a second horizontal well, where it is transported to surface. In a surface treatment facility, a slurry of tar sand is formed and surfactant and nanoparticles are added to the slurry. | 10-11-2012 |
20120261313 | VAPOR PHASE HYDROCARON EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM OIL SAND - This invention provides a process for producing a crude oil composition from oil sand using a solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon mixture to extract or remove only a portion of the bitumen on the oil sand. The solvent type and the manner by which the extraction process is carried out has substantial impact on the quality of the extracted oil component. The solvent is designed so that it has the desired Hansen solubility parameters that enable the partial extraction of the desired oil composition. The solvent is further designed so that it can be comprised of multiple hydrocarbons having the appropriate boiling point ranges that enable the solvent to be easily recovered and recycle, without the need to externally provide for solvent make-up. | 10-18-2012 |
20120285867 | FILTER DEVICE, METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION AND USE THEREOF - A filter device for filtering a suspension includes at least one filter for continuous creation of a filter cake including particles from the suspension, at least one dispensing device configured to apply at least one first wash liquid to the filter cakes, at least one steaming unit configured to steam the filter cake using steam; at least one removal device configured to remove a surface layer of the filter cake facing away from the at least one filter, wherein the filter device is configured to convey the filter cake to the at least one removal device, the at least one dispensing device and the at least one steaming device, and at least one transport device configured to transport the removed surface layer of the filter cake away from the filter device. | 11-15-2012 |
20120305451 | Process and System For Recovery of Bitumen From Oil Sands - A process is described for bitumen extraction from oil sands. Solvent extraction is used, incorporating fines agglomeration to simplify subsequent separation. A high quality bitumen product is formed, having water and solids content that exceeds downstream processing and pipeline requirements. An embodiment of the process comprises combining a first solvent and a bituminous feed to form an initial slurry, which is optionally separated into fine solids and coarse solids. Solids are agglomerated to form an agglomerated slurry. A low solids bitumen extract from the agglomerated slurry is mixed with a second solvent to form a solvent-bitumen low solids mixture, the second solvent having a similar or lower boiling point than the first solvent. The mixture is separated to produce high grade and low grade bitumen extracts. The first and second solvents are recovered from the high grade bitumen extract, leaving a high grade bitumen product. | 12-06-2012 |
20120305452 | Dry, Stackable Tailings and Methods for Producing the Same - Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The methods may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from a material comprising bitumen and produces first solvent-wet tailings. The first solvent-wet tailings are washed with a second solvent that removes the first solvent from the tailings. Second solvent remaining in the tailings is removed to thereby produce solvent-dry, stackable tailings. | 12-06-2012 |
20130001136 | Processes and Systems For Solvent Extraction of Bitumen From Oil Sands - Processes and systems are described for solvent extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Fines agglomeration is employed to simplify subsequent separation. A high quality bitumen product can be formed, which meets or exceeds downstream processing and pipeline requirements. An embodiment comprises combining a first solvent and a bituminous feed to form an initial slurry, which is optionally separated into fine solids and coarse solids. Slurry solids are agglomerated. A low solids bitumen extract from the agglomerated slurry is mixed with a second solvent having a similar or lower boiling point than the first. The mixture is separated, solvent recovered, and a high grade bitumen product is formed. Exemplary systems comprise a mixbox, agglomerator, separator unit with optional countercurrent washer and deep cone settler, and TSRU. Processes are provided for fractionating a hydrocarbon fluid into heavier and lighter fractions. The lighter fraction may be used in solvent extraction of bitumen. | 01-03-2013 |
20130020235 | OIL SANDS EXTRACTION - A process for the separation of high purity organic fractions from oil sands is disclosed. | 01-24-2013 |
20130026076 | Methods for Obtaining Bitumen from Bituminous Materials - A method of extracting bitumen from bituminous material. In some embodiments, the method may include loading a bitumen material in a column, followed by feeding a first quantity of solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting the bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column. A quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent may then be fed into the column. In some embodiments, the method may include simultaneously loading bitumen material and a solvent in a column, followed by feeding additional solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column, and feeding a quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent into the column. | 01-31-2013 |
20130026077 | Methods and Apparatus for Bitumen Extraction - A bitumen extraction method can include the use of a two or more mixing drums aligned in series for spraying solvent over bituminous material and/or tailings loaded in the mixing drums while the mixing drums rotate. Such mixing can result in the dissolution of bitumen into the solvent, which then allows for the separation of a “dilbit” stream from the bituminous material. | 01-31-2013 |
20130026078 | Methods for Extracting Bitumen From Bituminous Material - Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The method can include the steps of adding a first quantity of solvent to a bitumen material to form a first mixture, separating a first quantity of bitumen-enriched solvent from the first mixture and thereby creating solvent-wet tailings, and adding a quantity of water to the solvent-wet tailings to separate a solvent component from the solvent-wet tailings and thereby forming solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The solvent used in the methods can include paraffinic solvent, such as pentane. | 01-31-2013 |
20130037449 | PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF OILS FROM A SOLID MATRIX - Process for the recovery of oils from a solid matrix comprising: subjecting said solid matrix to extraction by mixing with at least one organic solvent having a boiling point lower than or equal to 160° C., preferably ranging from 60° C. to 140° C., operating at a temperature ranging from 5° C. to 40° C., preferably ranging from 15° C. to 30° C., and at atmospheric pressure (1 atm), obtaining a solid-liquid mixture; subjecting said solid-liquid mixture to separation, obtaining a liquid phase comprising said oils and said organic solvent and a solid phase comprising said solid matrix; recovering said organic solvent from said liquid phase. | 02-14-2013 |
20130056395 | Integrated Processes For Recovery of Hydrocarbon From Oil Sands - Processes are described for extracting hydrocarbon from a mineable deposit, such as bitumen from oil sands. The integration of solvent-based extraction processes with aqueous extraction processes is described. In one embodiment, water is removed from an aqueous bituminous feed that is then directed into a solvent-based extraction process. In another embodiment, a stream produced through solvent extraction is directed into a water-based extraction process. In the solvent-based extraction processes, agglomeration of fines may be employed to simplify subsequent solid-liquid separation. The process permits recovery of hydrocarbon that has conventionally may have been too difficult to recover from oil sands processing, and thus has previously been lost. Advantageously, a fungible product can be formed more efficiently according to certain integrated processes described herein. | 03-07-2013 |
20130062258 | REMOVAL OF HYDROCARBONS FROM PARTICULATE SOLIDS - A process and composition for removing heavy oil and bitumen from oil sands is disclosed. The composition comprises an emulsion of d-limonene in water, with an optional anionic surfactant as an emulsifying agent. The emulsion is contacted with an oil sand slurry until the aqueous and hydrocarbon phases separate. The process may take place at temperatures less than about 80° C. and with low concentrations of the d-limonene. | 03-14-2013 |
20130068664 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND FEED STREAM - The present invention provides a method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand feed stream ( | 03-21-2013 |
20130068665 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND FEED STREAM - The present invention provides a method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand feed stream ( | 03-21-2013 |
20130075306 | MULTI-STAGE COUNTER-CURRENT FROTH SETTLER AND METHOD OF USE - A method for recovery of bitumen from a bitumen-containing froth utilizes solvent and a single, froth settling vessel having a plurality of internals therein. The froth is first diluted with enough solvent to reduce the viscosity of the froth and the diluted froth is added to the vessel above the internals. Additional of the solvent is added to the vessel, either below the internals, intermediate the internals or both and is flowed counter-current to the diluted froth which is flowing downwardly over the plurality of internals. A gradient of solvent concentration relative to hydrocarbon concentration is formed through the internals which act as multiple stages of separation. The product, being bitumen and other light components, are carried with the solvent to the top of the vessel. The heavier components such as water, solids and asphaltene aggregates fall to the bottom of the vessel by gravity. Where paraffinic solvents are used, the solvent to bitumen ratio for the initial dilution of the froth is kept below a ratio at which the asphaltenes are rejected. Substantially all of the asphaltene rejection occurs in the settling vessel as the solvent to bitumen ratio increases therein. | 03-28-2013 |
20130081981 | BITUMEN EXTRACTION PROCESS - A process for the extraction and recovery of bitumen from oil sands and a process for the treatment of tailings are disclosed. Bitumen is recovered in a process comprising contacting a polysilicate microgel with an ore sand oil to produce a froth comprising bitumen and a tailings stream comprising water, sand and clay fines. Preferably the tailings stream is dewatered and recovered water may be recycled to the extraction process. Polysilicate microgel may be carried through to a dewatering step and enhances flocculation in dewatering said tailings. | 04-04-2013 |
20130098805 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS - A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided. | 04-25-2013 |
20130146506 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION - Systems and methods for hydrocarbon extraction from hydrocarbon-containing material. Such systems and methods relate to extracting hydrocarbon from hydrocarbon-containing material employing a non-aqueous extractant. Additionally, such systems and methods relate to recovering and reusing non-aqueous extractant employed for extracting hydrocarbon from hydrocarbon-containing material. | 06-13-2013 |
20130168294 | CONTROLLING BITUMEN QUALITY IN SOLVENT-ASSISTED BITUMEN EXTRACTION - Described herein is a method of controlling bitumen quality in a process stream within a solvent-assisted bitumen extraction operation, for instance a hydrocarbon stream from a froth separation unit (FSU). Bitumen quality is a measure of the amount of selected contaminants in the process stream. Contaminants may include asphaltenes (comprising metal porphyrins), sulfur, and inorganic solids (comprising inorganic elements, e.g. Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Na, K, Mg, and Ca). First, the amounts of selected contaminants are measured. Next, these measured values are compared to maximum reference values. If one or more of these contaminants is higher than the maximum reference value, at least one variable of the solvent-assisted bitumen extraction is adjusted to improve bitumen quality. | 07-04-2013 |
20130180889 | HYDROCARBON RESOURCE PROCESSING APPARATUS INCLUDING A LOAD RESONANCE TRACKING CIRCUIT AND RELATED METHODS - A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container, and a radio frequency (RF) circuit coupled to the spirally wound electrical conductor and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resource while tracking a load resonance of the RF circuit. The RF circuit may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container parallel with an axis thereof. | 07-18-2013 |
20130180890 | HYDROCARBON RESOURCE PROCESSING DEVICE INCLUDING SPIRALLY WOUND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR AND RELATED METHODS - A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof. | 07-18-2013 |
20130206647 | PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN AND DRYING THE TAILINGS - A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen. | 08-15-2013 |
20130220890 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND STREAM - The present invention provides a method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand stream that includes the steps of: providing an oil sand stream; contacting the oil sand stream with a liquid comprising a solvent thereby obtaining a solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; separating the solvent-diluted oil sand slurry, thereby obtaining a solids-depleted stream and a solids-enriched stream; increasing the S/B weight ratio of the solids-enriched stream thereby obtaining a solids-enriched stream having an increased S/B weight ratio and a liquid stream; filtering the solids-enriched stream having an increased S/B weight ratio, thereby obtaining bitumen-depleted sand. In another embodiment, the invention is a system for practicing this method. | 08-29-2013 |
20130220891 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING HYDROCARBONS AND OTHER ADHERENTS FROM SAND - A system for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from sand and/or drill cuttings includes screening large debris from a first loading inlet hopper ( | 08-29-2013 |
20130233771 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING THE NEGATIVE ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT OF THE OILSANDS INDUSTRY - A method and system for the use of low quality fuel and solids-rich water, like fine tailings or lime sludge, for extracting bitumen from shallow and deep underground oil sand formations. The method includes the steps of combustion fuel and oxidizing gas, mixing hot combustion gas with solids-rich water, evaporating the liquid water to steam and solids, removing the solids from the gas phase to generate a solid lean gas, recovering the heat and condensing the steam to generate hot water, mixing the hot water with oilsands ore for extracting bitumen. The solid lean gas is mixed with saturated water to scrub the remaining solids and acid gases and produce saturated steam. The solids-rich saturated water is recycled and evaporated by being mixed with the combustion gases, and the saturated steam is condensed to generate heat and condensate for steam generation for use in enhanced oil recovery. | 09-12-2013 |
20130233772 | EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM OIL SAND - Disclosed is a process for extracting an oil composition from oil sand. The extraction process is carried out using a fluidizing medium to fluidize oil sand particles within a contact zone in which the fluidizing medium contacts the oil sand and maintains the oil sand in the fluidized state. At least a majority of the fluidizing medium is in a vapor or supercritical state within the contact zone. | 09-12-2013 |
20130240412 | NAPHTHA BASED FUNGIBLE BITUMEN PROCESS - The invention is directed to a process for cleaning bitumen froth by mixing a sufficient amount of naphtha with the bitumen froth to provide a naphtha-to-bitumen ratio within the range of about 4.0 (w/w) to about 10.0 (w/w) and separating substantially dry diluted bitumen from the water and solids. Also provided is a process for cleaning diluted bitumen by mixing a sufficient amount of naphtha with the diluted bitumen to provide a naphtha-to-bitumen ratio equal to or greater than about 1.8 (w/w) and separating marketable fungible raw bitumen from the water and solids. | 09-19-2013 |
20130270156 | Single solvent method and machine for separating bitumen from oil sand - A single solvent method and machine for separating bitumen from oil sand ore are disclosed. The method includes the use of a single light paraffinic solvent, such as propane or butane as the agent to separate the bitumen from mined oil sand ore. Since light paraffinic solvents are vapors at atmospheric pressure and temperatures, the ore is placed in a pressurized container so that the solvent remains in a liquid state. When the container is pressurized, by the addition of the solvent itself, the liquid solvent is mixed with the ore to effect separation. The proposed machine settles more than 80% of the solids out under gravity in a modest period of time. The solvent-bitumen mixture is drained after the cleaning cycle, the container is depressured to a vapor recovery system and the remaining solids dumped out. The fine solids, drained with the liquids, are separated from the liquid mixture with relative ease by the use of current technology in other downstream equipment. | 10-17-2013 |
20130299392 | METHOD FOR REMOVING OXYGEN FROM AN OIL SAND STREAM - The present invention provides a method for removing oxygen from an oil sand stream, the method including the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand stream; (b) introducing the oil sand stream into a liquid bath; (c) transporting the oil sand through the liquid bath to a confined space above the surface of the liquid bath; (d) removing the oil sand from the confined space; and (e) extracting bitumen from the oil sand removed in step (d). | 11-14-2013 |
20130299393 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND STREAM - The present invention provides a method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand stream, the method including the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand stream; (b) contacting the oil sand stream with a liquid comprising a solvent thereby obtaining a solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; (c) separating the solvent-diluted oil sand slurry, thereby obtaining a first solids-depleted stream and a first solids-enriched stream; (d) filtering the first solids-enriched stream obtained in step (c), thereby obtaining bitumen-depleted sand and at least a first filtrate; (e) separating at least a part of the first filtrate thereby obtaining a second solids-depleted stream and a second solids-enriched stream; and (f) reusing at least a part of the second solids-enriched stream as obtained in step (e) in the contacting of step (b) or the separating of step (c). | 11-14-2013 |
20130327683 | ORE FROTH PROCESSING - Apparatus and method for processing ore, the method comprising obtaining a reflectance spectra of an ore froth using a camera, applying a calculation using at least a wavelet decomposition to the reflectance spectra and generating a value representative of the reflectance spectra of the ore froth, classifying the quality of the ore froth using the value, and using the classification of the quality of the ore froth in froth processing. | 12-12-2013 |
20130334105 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND STREAM - The present invention provides a method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand stream, the method including the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand stream; (b) contacting the oil sand stream with a liquid comprising a solvent thereby obtaining a solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; (c) separating the solvent-diluted oil sand slurry, thereby obtaining a first solids-depleted stream and a first solids-enriched stream; (d) filtering the first solids-enriched stream obtained in step (c), thereby obtaining bitumen-depleted sand and at least a first filtrate; (e) increasing the S/B weight ratio of at least a part of the first filtrate by combining it with a stream having a higher S/B weight ratio thereby obtaining a combined stream; and (f) separating the combined stream, thereby obtaining a second solids-depleted stream and a second solids-enriched stream. | 12-19-2013 |
20140001101 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR SOLVENT ADDITION TO BITUMEN FROTH | 01-02-2014 |
20140008272 | METHOD FOR THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OBTENTION OF LIGHT OIL AND/OR FUELS ON THE BASIS OF CRUDE BITUMEN FROM OIL SHALES AND/OR OIL SANDS - The present invention relates to a method for the energy-efficient and environmentally friendly obtention of light oil and/or fuels on the basis of crude bitumen from oil shales and/or oil sands ( | 01-09-2014 |
20140021102 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS - The present invention provides an apparatus, at least comprising:
| 01-23-2014 |
20140021103 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND STREAM - The present invention provides a method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand stream, the method including at least the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand stream; (b) contacting the oil sand stream with a liquid comprising a non-aqueous solvent thereby obtaining a solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; (c) screening the solvent-diluted oil sand slurry thereby obtaining a screened oil sand slurry and a rejects stream; (d) introducing the rejects stream into a liquid bath; (e) transporting the rejects stream through the liquid bath to a space above the surface of the liquid bath; and (f) extracting bitumen from the screened oil sand slurry obtained in step (c). | 01-23-2014 |
20140034553 | Method of Processing a Bituminous Feed Using an Emulsion - The present disclosure relates to a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with a bridging liquid-in-extraction liquor emulsion to form a slurry. Solids in the slurry are agglomerated, using agitation, to form an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerated solids and a low solids bitumen extract. The agglomerates are then separated from the low solids bitumen extract. Emulsifying the bridging liquid prior to contacting it with the oil sands may reduce the amount of energy required for the agglomeration process. Other potential benefits may include the production of smaller and more uniform agglomerates. The former may lead to higher bitumen recoveries and the latter may improve the solid-liquid separation rate. | 02-06-2014 |
20140042060 | HYDROCARBON RECLAMATION METHOD AND ASSEMBLY - A method for removal of hydrocarbons from solid particulate matter provides a chemical treatment which moves particulate matter combined with a water and chemical mixture which is moved progressively through separation tanks to remove the particulate matter from the hydrocarbons after coating and allow the hydrocarbons to float free from the particulate substrate. The removal apparatus consists of a series of tanks through which the coated and fouled solid material is moved to progressively remove hydrocarbons from the surface of the solid material leaving the solids in one stream and the hydrocarbons in a second stream for disposal or further use. | 02-13-2014 |
20140048449 | Enhancing Fine Capture in Paraffinic Froth Treatment Process - A modified paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) process is described, in which a fine tailings stream obtained from a water extraction process practiced on oil sands is added during the treatment process. This modified process may be useful as a treatment for the fine tailings stream, allowing for the flocculation of the fines, thus reducing the volume of such fine tailings. The modified process may also be useful in that the fine tailings stream can be used as a supplement or a replacement for dilution water, thus eliminating or reducing the need for dilution water in the PFT process. | 02-20-2014 |
20140048450 | Enhanced Turndown Process for a Bitumen Froth Treatment Operation - A process for operating a bitumen froth treatment operation in turndown mode includes adding solvent to bitumen froth to produce diluted bitumen froth and separating it into diluted bitumen and solvent diluted tailings and in response to a reduction in bitumen froth flow recirculating part of the diluted bitumen into the bitumen froth and returning part of the solvent diluted tailings into the step of separating. A method for turndown of separation vessel for PFT includes sustaining the feed flow to vessel; maintaining solvent-to-bitumen ratio in the diluted bitumen froth; and retaining water, minerals and asphaltenes in a lower section of the vessel while sustaining an outlet flow. The use of diluted bitumen derived from PFT as a viscosity modifying agent of the bitumen froth and an associated process are also provided. | 02-20-2014 |
20140054200 | ANALOGUE IONIC LIQUIDS FOR THE SEPARATION AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM PARTICULATE MATTER - Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one analogue ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the analogue ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system. | 02-27-2014 |
20140054201 | Method of Processing a Bituminous Feed Using Agglomeration in a Pipeline - The present disclosure relates to a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with an extraction liquor to form a slurry. The slurry is then flowed through a pipeline. A bridging liquid is added to the slurry to assist agglomeration. Agitation is also used to assist agglomeration. The result is an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerates and a low solids bitumen extract. The agglomerates are then separated from the low solids bitumen extract. Performing the agglomeration in a pipeline as opposed to in a conventional agitating vessel may provide certain advantages, such as improved sealing in order to contain the potentially flammable mixture of oil sands slurry from the atmosphere, production of smaller and more uniform agglomerates due to improved mixing of the bridging liquid into the oil sands slurry, and the flexibility to have a long residence time for the extraction and agglomeration processes. | 02-27-2014 |
20140076784 | METHOD OF PROCESSING A BITUMINOUS FEED WITH FEEDBACK CONTROL - Described herein is a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with an extraction liquor to form a slurry. A bridging liquid is added to the slurry, and, solids are agitated within the slurry to form an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerates and a low solids bitumen extract. In order to control agglomeration, the slurry is analyzed and the processing method is adjusted accordingly. | 03-20-2014 |
20140083911 | PROCESS FOR TREATING HIGH PARAFFIN DILUTED BITUMEN - A paraffinic solvent recovery process for treating high paraffin diluted bitumen includes supplying the latter to flashing apparatus; separating into flashed paraffinic solvent and diluted bitumen underflow; and returning a portion of the underflow as returned diluted bitumen into the high paraffin diluted bitumen prior to introduction into the flashing apparatus, at temperature and amount to shift asphaltene precipitation equilibrium to reduce asphaltene precipitation. The process includes pre-heating the high paraffin diluted bitumen by transferring heat from hot dry bitumen, flashed paraffinic solvent and/or a portion of diluted bitumen underflow. Flashed paraffinic solvent may contain residual light end bitumen contaminants that increase asphaltenes solubility and the process may include removing contaminants to produce reusable paraffinic solvent at given solvent-to-bitumen ratio range to maintain given asphaltene precipitation. The process may also include a bitumen fractionation column producing hot dry bitumen underflow containing at most 0.5 wt % paraffinic solvent. | 03-27-2014 |
20140097126 | BITUMEN REMOVAL FROM TAILINGS CENTRIFUGE CENTRATE - A process for removing residual bitumen from oil sands tailings is provided, comprising optionally diluting the tailings with sufficient water to yield a tailings feed having a solids content in the range of about 18 wt % to about 36 wt %; adding one or both of a coagulant and a flocculant to the tailings feed to form a centrifuge feed; centrifuging the centrifuge feed to produce a cake and a centrate having a solids content of less than about 3 wt %; introducing the centrate into a flotation device so that bitumen froth and cleaned centrate are formed; recycling the cleaned centrate as dilution water or discharging the cleaned centrate to a tailings pond, and further processing the bitumen froth from the flotation device either by returning it to the primary Extraction feed or by treating it in a new or existing froth treatment plant. | 04-10-2014 |
20140102945 | Relocatable Systems and Processes for Recovery of Bitumen From Oil Sands - Relocatable systems and processes for processing oil sands are described. Relocatable components are employed to permit oil sand processing to be conducted near a mine face, and relocated as the mine face recedes. Flow of the slurry in combination with appropriate water injection through the relocatable pipeline causes agglomeration of fines within the slurry. Bitumen/solvent mixtures can be filtered from the agglomerates within downstream solvent extraction system components. A high quality bitumen product is formed, having water and solids content that exceeds downstream processing and pipeline requirements. Dry tailings may be back-filled in-pit. | 04-17-2014 |
20140116925 | MIXING SYSTEMS FOR MIXING OIL SANDS TAILINGS AND POLYMER - A process for flocculating and dewatering oil sands fine tailings in a pipeline is provided, comprising: pumping a tailings feed having a solids content in the range of about 10 wt % to about 45 wt % through a pipeline; injecting an effective amount of a polymeric flocculant into the tailings feed to provide an initial quick dispersion of the polymeric flocculant into the tailings feed; and providing a subsequent conditioning environment to form flocs and release water without overshearing. | 05-01-2014 |
20140131258 | METHOD FOR REMOVING OIL - A method for removing oil from a physical object comprises the steps: i) bringing said physical object in contact with an oil removal composition, said oil removal composition comprising a) a surfactant having the general formula: R1-X—R2, wherein R1 is an open chain sugar alcohol, wherein X is one selected from NH, NCH3 and NCH2CH3, and wherein R2 is an aliphatic or aromatic group comprising at least 5 carbon atoms, and b) water, ii) leaving said oil removal composition in contact with said physical object for a period of time sufficient for most of said oil to be dispersed in said oil removal composition, High recovery of oil/bitumen from tar sands can be achieved. The composition is renewable, degradable and inexpensive. An extremely efficient de-greater is provided. The composition used in both bitumen recovery and degreasing is easily reusable and recycleable. The starting materials of the surfactant are renewable and inexpensive. The composition is non-toxic and biodegradable. | 05-15-2014 |
20140138286 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATING COMPONENTS OF A SLURRY - Systems and methods for removing fluid from a slurry fluid and a plurality of solid particles including flowing a slurry stream that includes the slurry through a slurry conduit, injecting a displacing fluid through a first perforated region that is in fluid communication with the slurry conduit, displacing at least a portion of the slurry fluid from the slurry, and producing a displaced fluid stream, which may include the displaced portion of the slurry fluid and/or a portion of the injected displacing fluid, from a second perforated region that is in fluid communication with the slurry conduit. The systems and methods also may include producing a product slurry stream from the slurry conduit, separating the components of the displaced fluid stream, separating the components of the product slurry stream, and/or recycling a portion of one or more of the streams. | 05-22-2014 |
20140138287 | INTEGRATED CENTRAL PROCESSING FACILITY (CPF) IN OIL FIELD UPGRADING (OFU) - A process for upgrading oil including optionally pre-treating a heavy oil including at least one dissolved gas, asphaltenes, water, and mineral solids; reducing at least one dissolved gas content from said heavy oil, optionally further reducing water content from said heavy oil; adding a paraffinic solvent to said heavy oil, at a predetermined paraffinic solvent:heavy oil ratio, facilitating separation of asphaltenes, water, and mineral solids from the heavy oil resulting in a de-asphalted or partially de-asphalted oil (“DAO”)-paraffinic solvent stream, comprising a low asphaltenes content DAO-paraffinic solvent stream and an asphaltenes-mineral solids-paraffinic solvent-water slurry stream; optionally separating the paraffinic solvent and water from the asphaltenes-mineral solids-paraffinic solvent-water slurry stream; optionally separating the DAO-paraffinic solvent stream into a paraffinic solvent rich stream and a DAO stream; and optionally adding diluent to the DAO stream resulting in transportable oil. | 05-22-2014 |
20140144811 | TREATING SULFUR CONTAINING HYDROCARBONS RECOVERED FROM HYDROCARBONACEOUS DEPOSITS - In a process to treat gaseous components obtained from an in situ recovery of liquid hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbonaceous deposit the mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide are separated from each other using lean oil and the hydrogen sulfide further processed to obtain a sulfur-free fuel gas product. The rich oil obtained after treating the gaseous components can be used as a diluent with the liquid hydrocarbons or processed to remove and convert the mercaptans to disulfide oils. | 05-29-2014 |
20140151268 | FORMULATIONS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING OIL-WET SOLIDS FROM AQUEOUS STREAMS - The invention encompasses methods for aggregating oil-wet solids in an aqueous suspension comprising providing an aqueous suspension containing oil-wet solids, and treating the aqueous suspension with an effective amount of a formulation comprising a tunable surfactant, thereby aggregating the oil-wet solids as removable aggregates. The invention also encompasses methods for extracting bitumen from oil sands ore and systems for separating bitumen from inorganic oil sands ore. | 06-05-2014 |
20140151269 | ENHANCED TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF BITUMEN FROTH TREATMENT PROCESS - A method for pre-treating bitumen froth for mixing with solvent for froth treatment includes heating the froth to a froth-solvent mixing temperature below the solvent flash temperature and suitably high to provide reduced bitumen viscosity sufficiently low for complete mixing of the solvent and the froth prior to introduction into a separation apparatus. A method of improving energy use in froth treatment includes reducing heat provided to the solvent, increasing heat provided to the froth prior to adding the solvent to reduce bitumen viscosity and adding the temperature-reduced solvent to the heated froth. A froth treatment separation process includes trim heating first and second solvent streams to adjust the first and second stage separation temperatures. | 06-05-2014 |
20140166543 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR RECOVERING BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS - A system and a process for recovering bitumen from oil sands are provided. The system includes a bitumen solvent comprised of at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide that is first contact miscible with bitumen, an oil sands material comprised of bitumen, and a contacting apparatus configured to receive the bitumen solvent and the oil sands material and to contact and mix the bitumen solvent and oil sands material to form a bitumen-containing extract and a bitumen-depleted oil sands material. The process includes the steps of providing the oil sands material; contacting the oil sands material with the solvent comprised of at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide to form the bitumen-containing extract and the bitumen-depleted oil sands material; and separating the bitumen-containing extract from the bitumen-depleted oil sands material. | 06-19-2014 |
20140174990 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM TAR SAND - An improved system for removing bitumen from tar sands comprises a pretreatment system utilizing a vibratory load hopper for classifying and sizing said tar sand particles communicating with a dryer for heating and drying said tar sand particles to a predetermined temperature thereby controlling the moisture content of said tar sands. An extraction system is also included for accepting said tar sands from the dryer comprising a plurality of extraction vessels arranged in series for transporting said tar sands from a first extraction vessel to a final extraction vessel. Furthermore, a solvent system for supplying a predetermined volume of solvent flow through said extraction vessels is employed, whereby solvent is supplied to the last extraction vessel and a solvent and bitumen mixture is withdrawn from the first extraction vessel. | 06-26-2014 |
20140183103 | OIL SAND PROCESS LINE CONTROL - An apparatus and a method for operating a process line for processing mined oil sand ore into a bitumen-containing slurry. The method may include: collecting, at least at one location, a plurality of measurements from one or more sensors; computing at a central controller a calculated value based on at least one of the plurality of measurements; and, applying an adjustment to an operating variable of a component of the process line to override a target set-point of a regulatory controller for that component based on the calculated value and a target value for the calculated value. The method and apparatus may receive measurement values in at least one step, and apply a correction to future measurement values in another step. | 07-03-2014 |
20140190872 | METHOD OF PROCESSING A BITUMEN STREAM USING A MEMBRANE - Disclosed is a method of processing bitumen streams using membrane filtration. In one aspect, membrane filtration replaces paraffinic froth treatment, with one or more filtration steps replacing gravity settling. In another aspect, the bitumen stream is subjected to paraffmic solvent treatment at much higher flow rates, with an “almost cleaned” product being subsequently filtered by the membrane system. In this case, some contaminants are removed by conventional gravity settling equipment, while additional contaminants are removed by membrane filtration. In another aspect, membrane filtration is applied to a bitumen product effluent stream following naphthenic froth treatment. In another aspect, membrane filtration is applied to a bitumen product effluent stream from a solvent-based extraction process. In yet another aspect, membrane filtration is applied to a bitumen product effluent stream from a solvent extraction with solids agglomeration process. In still another aspect, membrane filtration is applied to bitumen produced by SAGD. | 07-10-2014 |
20140209511 | METHOD OF HANDLING A SOLVENT-CONTAINING SOLIDS STREAM IN A NON-AQUEOUS OIL SAND EXTRACTION PROCESS - The present invention provides a method of handling a solvent-containing solids stream in a non-aqueous oil sand extraction process, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a solvent-containing solids stream at a first pressure; (b) depositing the solvent-containing solids stream provided in step (a) as a bed in a vessel; (c) discharging the solvent-containing solids stream from the vessel at a second pressure via an outlet, thereby obtaining a depressurized solvent-containing solids stream; wherein the solvent-containing solids stream in the vessel in step (b) is at a temperature above the boiling point of the solvent in the depressurized solvent-containing solids stream at the second pressure in step (c). | 07-31-2014 |
20140209512 | Method of Processing Tailings from Solvent-Based Hydrocarbon Extraction - Described is a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is solvent extracted to form a bitumen-rich stream and a bitumen-lean stream. Solvent is recovered from the bitumen-rich stream to form a bitumen product. Solvent and water are recovered from the bitumen-lean stream to form dry tailings with a moisture content of less than 40 wt.%. The dry tailings are separated into at least two streams, each stream having a moisture content of less than 40 wt. %, based on at least one physical or chemical property. At least one of the at least two streams is then used at an oil sands mine site. In this way, the dry tailings may be used more effectively. | 07-31-2014 |
20140216985 | CLOSED LOOP SOLVENT EXTRACTION PROCESS FOR OIL SANDS - The present invention is directed to a method which includes the steps of: contacting an oil sand with a suitable solvent to generate a solvated oil sand slurry; separating solvent-diluted bitumen from the solvated oil sand slurry to generate (a) a solvent-diluted bitumen and (b) a slurry with increased solids concentration; filtering the slurry with increased solids concentration; dropping the solids into a pressure reduction vessel wherein the pressure in the pressure reduction vessel is a pressure below a vapor pressure of the solvent; and drying the solids removed from the pressure reduction vessel to produce solids having dry tailings. The method of the present invention may be used to produce a low ash bitumen product and dry tailings from oil sands. | 08-07-2014 |
20140231312 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND STREAM - The present invention provides a method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand stream, the method including the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand stream; (b) contacting the oil sand stream with a solvent thereby obtaining a first solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; (c) screening the first solvent-diluted oil sand slurry, thereby obtaining a first oversized material and a first undersized material; (d) contacting the first oversized material with a solvent thereby obtaining a second solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; (e) screening the second solvent-diluted oil sand slurry, thereby obtaining a second oversized material and a second undersized material; (f) optionally filtering the first undersized material obtained in step (c), thereby obtaining a solids-depleted stream and a solids-enriched stream; (g) optionally removing solvent from the solids-depleted stream obtained in step (f) thereby obtaining a bitumen-enriched stream. | 08-21-2014 |
20140231313 | CASCADING PROCESSOR - A cascading processor is described which includes a processor body having an upper inlet and a lower outlet, such that materials pass by force of gravity from inlet to the outlet. The processor body has a plurality of processing levels Which are sequentially vertically spaced progressively downwardly from the inlet to the outlet, such that materials cascade by force of gravity from one processing level to another processing level as the materials pass through the processor body front the inlet to the outlet. This cascading processor was developed for recovery of bitumen front oil sands, but can be used to process oil shales or to process biomasses. | 08-21-2014 |
20140238904 | PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF BITUMEN FROM AN OIL SAND - The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of bitumen from an oil sand comprising the following phases in succession: (a) mixing an oil sand with a diluent capable of reducing the viscosity and density of the bitumen contained in said oil sand, obtaining a first mixture (slurry) comprising diluted bitumen; (b) mixing said slurry with a basic aqueous solution (BAS) possibly containing salts to increase its ionic strength, capable of removing said diluted bitumen from said oil sand containing it, obtaining a second mixture (BAS-slurry) which can be separated into (i) a liquid phase comprising said diluted bitumen, a fraction of oil sand free of the bitumen removed and water; (ii) a sediment comprising the remaining fraction of said oil sand free of the bitumen removed, water and residual hydrocarbons which can be eliminated by subsequent washings; (c) separating a liquid phase comprising said diluted bitumen removed, from said BAS-slurry mixture; (d) recovering, from said liquid phase separated in phase (c), the removed diluted bitumen contained therein. | 08-28-2014 |
20140262964 | Method of Processing a Bituminous Feed By Staged Addition of a Bridging Liquid - The present disclosure relates to a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with an extraction liquor to form a slurry. A bridging liquid is added to the slurry in at least two stages and solids within the slurry are agitated to form an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerated solids and a low solids bitumen extract. The agglomerates are then separated from the low solids bitumen extract. Potential benefits may include the production of smaller and more uniform agglomerates. The former may lead to higher bitumen recoveries and the latter may improve the solid-liquid separation rate. The bridging liquid may be added in an area of relatively high shear rates. Between stages of bridging liquid addition, agglomerates may be removed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140291209 | Heat Recovery for Bitumen Froth Treatment Plant Integration with Sealed Closed-Loop Cooling Circuit - A system and process for recovering heat from a bitumen froth treatment plant use a sealed closed-loop heat transfer circuit. The system has a heat removal exchanger associated with the plant and receiving hot froth treatment process stream; heat recovery exchanger; the circuit; and an oil sands process fluid line. The circuit includes piping circulating heat exchange media having uncontaminated and low fouling properties. The piping includes a supply line to the heat removal exchanger and a return line for providing heated media to the recovery exchanger. The circuit has a pump for pressurizing the heat exchange media; a pressure regulator for regulating pressure of the media. The pump and the pressure maintain the media under pressure in liquid phase. The oil sands process fluid is heated producing a cooled media for reuse in the heat removal exchanger. High and low temperature heat removal exchangers can be used. | 10-02-2014 |
20140299514 | SEPARATION AND EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM SOURCE MATERIAL - Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. Source materials are introduced into a furnace. A condition is created within the furnace in which a gaseous pressure within the furnace is less than an atmospheric pressure outside of the furnace by removing air from within the furnace with a vacuum pump. Hydrocarbons contained within the source material are separated from the source material without using a significant amount of water by heating the source material to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbons to liquefy or vaporize. The liquefied hydrocarbons or vaporized hydrocarbons are then captured. | 10-09-2014 |
20140299515 | PROCESS FOR CONVERSION OF PETROLEUM FEED COMPRISING AN EBULLATED BED HYDROCONVERSION STEP IN A FIXED BED HYDROTREATMENT STEP FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LOW SULPHUR CONTENT FUEL - Process for conversion of petroleum feed for production of low sulphur content fuel comprising the following steps:
| 10-09-2014 |
20140311950 | Method For Recovering Bitumen From Tar Sands - Method for recovering bitumen from tar sands, according to which sands are brought into contact with at least one partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) (co)polymer A. | 10-23-2014 |
20140346088 | TREATMENT OF POOR PROCESSING BITUMEN FROTH USING SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION - A method for extracting hydrocarbons from a poor processing bitumen froth is provided comprising subjecting a bitumen, solids and water slurry to flotation in a flotation device to produce the poor processing bitumen froth; optionally subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to centrifugation to remove a portion of the water from the poor processing bitumen froth; and subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to supercritical extraction in a pressure vessel using a supercritical fluid to produce a hydrocarbon stream suitable for further upgrading. | 11-27-2014 |
20140346089 | LOW INTERFACIAL TENSION SURFACTANTS FOR PETROLEUM APPLICATIONS - The invention relates to a class of novel surfactants that have utility in the recovery and/or extraction of oil. | 11-27-2014 |
20140360922 | PRODUCING IMPROVED UPGRADED HEAVY OIL - A method is provided to produce a clean resid from a heavy hydrocarbon, the method including the steps of: feeding a heavy hydrocarbon to a conversion unit to convert at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbon to lighter products and producing a resid, the resid comprising at least ten percent by weight components having true boiling points greater than 380° C. and further comprising at least some asphaltenes; contacting the resid with a naphtha to produce a mixed naphtha and resid, the naphtha comprising paraffin having from four to twelve carbons, the ratio of naphtha to resid high enough to result in precipitation of at least a portion of the asphaltenes in the resid; and separating a reject stream comprising asphaltenes and at least some solids from the resid to form a clean resid. | 12-11-2014 |
20140360923 | Method and device for extraction of liquids from a solid particle material - A method, system, and device for separating oil from oil sands or oil shale is disclosed. The method includes heating the oil sands, spinning the heated oil sands, confining the sand particles mechanically, and recovering the oil substantially free of the sand. The method can be used without the addition of chemical extraction agents. The system includes a source of centrifugal force, a heat source, a separation device, and a recovery device. The separation device includes a method of confining the sands while allowing the oil to escape, such as through an aperture. | 12-11-2014 |
20150008161 | METHOD FOR REDUCING RAG LAYER VOLUME IN STATIONARY FROTH TREATMENT - A method for reducing rag layer volume in a stationary bitumen froth treatment process is provided, comprising subjecting dilfroth having a naphtha diluent to bitumen ratio of about 0.7 to gravity settling in a splitter vessel to produce an overflow stream of raw dilbit and an underflow stream of splitter tails; mixing the splitter tails with a naphtha diluent to give a mixture having a naphtha diluent to bitumen ratio of less than about 6:1 in a scrubber feed tank; and subjecting the mixture to gravity settling and agitation in a scrubber vessel to produce an overhead stream of scrubber hydrocarbons and an underflow stream of scrubber tails. | 01-08-2015 |
20150014220 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A BITUMEN PRODUCT - Disclosed is a process for producing a high quality bitumen product derived from oil sand. The process for producing the high quality bitumen product involves a dual phase bitumen extraction process. In this dual phase process, a very high quality deasphalted crude oil is extracted from the oil sand in a solvent treatment first phase. The second phase of the process produces a high quality bitumen product from the solvent-treated oil sand. | 01-15-2015 |
20150014221 | COMPOSITION, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR CRUDE OIL REMEDIATION - Crude oil-contaminated objects are remediated by mixing crude oil-contaminated objects with an aqueous solution including co-solvents, electrolytes, and anionic surfactants. The co-solvents are selected from the group consisting of secondary butyl alcohol and isopropanol. The electrolytes are selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride and sodium chloride. The aqueous solution comprises between 5% and 10% of secondary butyl alcohol by weight; between 1% to 8% of an anionic surfactant by weight; and between 3000 mg/L and 5000 mg/L electrolytes. | 01-15-2015 |
20150014222 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING GAS TO LIQUIDS (GTL) TECHNOLOGY - Systems and methods for using different output from gas to liquids (GTL) plants are described. | 01-15-2015 |
20150014223 | METHODS FOR RECOVERING AND/OR REMOVING REAGENTS FROM POROUS MEDIA - A composition and method for displacing, dissolving, extracting, recovering, and/or removing solvent and/or any solvent-associated liquids from a solvent-treated material or penetrating through pores or the surface of a solvent-treated material using a solvent-extracting composition for contacting solvent-treated material and separating the solvent and any solvent-associated liquids from the solvent-treated material as well as the solvent-extracting composition. | 01-15-2015 |
20150027929 | PROCESSES FOR TREATING TAILINGS STREAMS - Provided are processes for treating a tailings stream which comprises water and solids, the process comprising: (i) adding one or more anionic polymer flocculants and one or more nonionic polymer flocculants to the tailings stream; (ii) allowing at least a portion of the solids to flocculate; and (iii) separating at least a portion of the flocculated solids from the tailings stream. | 01-29-2015 |
20150034530 | Solvent Extraction of Bitumen Using Heat From Combustion of Product Cleaning Streams - Described herein is a process that employs heat, derived from the combustion of product cleaning streams, such as waste streams, in a solvent-based extraction process. Solvent extraction of bitumen generally involves combining solvent with a bituminous feed to produce a cleaned bitumen product. Solvent is recovered, for example by utilizing heat to cause evaporation, and recovered solvent may be re-used. In an exemplary embodiment, hot flue gas from waste stream combustion may provide the heat to evaporate the solvent. Product cleaning waste streams may be ones produced from the trim cleaning of solvent extracted bitumen or from treatment of bitumen froth produced in a water-based extraction process. The heat generated can contribute to the energy requirements of the overall solvent extraction of bitumen. | 02-05-2015 |
20150041368 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FLOATION SEPARATION IN A MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLABLE AND STEERABLE MEDIUM - The present invention provides new techniques related to magnetically controllable and/or steerable froth for use in separation processes of mineral-bearing ore and bitumen. Apparatus is provided featuring a processor configured to contain a fluidic medium having a material-of-interest and also having a surfactant with magnetic properties so as to cause the formation of a froth layer that contains at least some of the material-of-interest and is magnetically responsive; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field and provide non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the processor. The material-of-interest may be mineral-bearing ore particles or bitumen. The processor includes a flotation tank, a primary separation vessel (PSV), or a pipe, including a tailings pipeline. The pipe has a non-magnetic pipe section, and the magnetic field generator includes a magnetic coil arranged in relation to non-magnetic pipe section to generate the magnetic field and provide the non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the pipe. | 02-12-2015 |
20150041369 | METHOD OF TREATING CRUDE OIL WITH ULTRASOUND VIBRATIONS AND MICROWAVE ENERGY - The present invention relates to methods of treating heavy crude oil on the surface or in situ. The methods of the present invention include: (a) mixing the heavy crude oil with a solvent; (b) subjecting the mixture to ultrasonic vibrations; and (c) subjecting mixture treated with ultrasonic vibrations to microwave energy. | 02-12-2015 |
20150048007 | MULTIVALENT MINERAL CATION TOLERANT ALKALI SYSTEM FOR CHEMICAL EOR - Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions and methods for enhanced oil recovery in the presence of multivalent mineral cations. The aqueous and emulsion compositions provided herein include a boron oxygenate and may be useful for the recovery of unrefined petroleum materials from mineral-bearing reservoirs. | 02-19-2015 |
20150083645 | Composition for Recovering Bitumen from Oil Sands - An improved composition for recovering bitumen from oil sands is used in the traditional “hot water” extraction process. An aliquot of a solvent mixture is mixed with bitumen ore and water. A pH builder is added and following mixing primary and secondary froths are recovered. The solvent mixture contains a monoterpene, nonionic surfactant, a short chain alcohol and a short chain ketone. Primary and secondary froth recovery is at least 80% at temperatures of about 35° C. Only very small amounts of solvent are used, and all solvents are biodegradable. | 03-26-2015 |
20150090641 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING TRANSPORTATION FUELS FROM OIL SANDS-DERIVED CRUDE - Disclosed are processes for extracting deasphalted crude oil from oil sand. Deasphalted crude oil can be extracted using a hydrocarbon recycle solvent stream having specified Hansen blend parameters, with the oil sand being contacted with the hydrocarbon recycle solvent stream in a contact zone of a vessel to separate not greater than 80 wt % of the bitumen present on the oil sand. The separated bitumen is considered a deasphalted crude oil stream, since it has an asphaltenes content substantially lower than that of the total bitumen initially present on the oil sand. The deasphalted crude oil stream can be treated using a hydrotreating catalyst or catalytic cracking catalyst to produce transportation fuel. | 04-02-2015 |
20150101962 | FEED DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR A FROTH SETTLING UNIT - Embodiments of a feedwell discharge a solvent treated bitumen-containing froth feed to a froth settling vessel at a Richardson number less than 1.0. Feed is discharged from feedwell inlets to the vessel, either located at a center of the vessel or at a perimeter wall of the vessel along a substantially horizontal path across the vessel. The high velocity maximizes the horizontal path. As the velocity is reduced along the path and as a result of collision in the vessel with the perimeter wall or with feed entering the vessel from an opposing inlet, the feed separates into diluted bitumen and solvent which rises in the vessel for discharge as an overflow product and a waste stream, comprising water, solids and asphaltenes, which settles to the bottom of the vessel to be discharged as an underflow. A relatively uniform clarification zone forms above the inlets submerged in the vessel. | 04-16-2015 |
20150129464 | METHOD OF FILTERING A SOLVENT-CONTAINING SLURRY STREAM IN A NON-AQUEOUS OIL SAND EXTRACTION PROCESS - The present invention provides a method of filtering a solvent-containing slurry stream including: (a) providing a solvent-containing slurry stream, the solvent comprising an aliphatic hydrocarbon; (b) depositing the solvent-containing slurry stream provided in step (a) as a filter cake on a filter medium, wherein a top layer of liquid is formed on the filter cake; (c) allowing the top layer of liquid as formed in step (b) to drain through the filter cake such that substantially no liquid remains on top of the filter cake; (d) allowing a gas to partially penetrate into the filter cake thereby obtaining a filter cake with a liquid solvent-depleted top layer; (e) passing liquid solvent through the filter cake with the liquid solvent-depleted top layer as obtained in step (d) thereby obtaining a washed filter cake; (f) removing solvent from the washed filter cake as obtained in step (e) thereby obtaining a solvent-depleted filter cake; and (g) removing the solvent-depleted filter cake as obtained in step (f) from the filter medium. | 05-14-2015 |
20150136651 | DESORPTION OF BITUMEN FROM CLAY PARTICLES AND MATURE FINE TAILINGS - A method for desorption of bitumen from clay particles. Also a method for the desorption of asphaltenes from clay particles and a method for the desorption of bituminous fractions from mature fine tails (MFT). The method for desorption of bitumen from clay particles involves interacting, in a suitable organic solvent, a clay-bitumen composite with a compound capable of stabilizing the bitumen in the organic solvent and adsorbing to clay particles such that the compound replaces the bitumen in the clay-bitumen composite. A substantial amount of the compound that is capable of stabilizing the bitumen in the organic solvent is recovered with the clay particles, while the bitumen is released. Similarly, the method for desorption of asphaltenes from clay particles also involves interacting a clay-asphaltene composite with a compound capable of stabilizing the asphaltenes in an organic solvent, recovering the compound with the clay particles, and releasing the asphaltenes into solution. | 05-21-2015 |
20150144535 | METHOD FOR REDUCING ACID IN HYDROCARBONS - A method, and use of, a surfactant is provided for reducing the total acid number (TAN) of produced hydrocarbons. The method may include introducing a surfactant to produced hydrocarbons, separating the surfactant from the produced hydrocarbons, and removing the surfactant and associated acid from the hydrocarbons. The cloud point of the surfactant may be used in the separating step of the method, and removal of the precipitate from the hydrocarbons may reduce the TAN of the hydrocarbons. The separation step may include forming an aqueous or intermediate phase that comprises the surfactant and associated acid. | 05-28-2015 |
20150307787 | METHOD TO EXTRACT BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS - The present invention relates to an improved bitumen recovery process from oil sands. The oil sands may be surface mined and transported to a treatment area or may be treated directly by means of an in situ process of oil sand deposits that are located too deep for strip mining. Specifically, the present invention involves the step of treating oil sands with a glycol ether amine described by the following structure: R-(OC | 10-29-2015 |
20150315477 | DEMULSIFIER INJECTION SYSTEM FOR FROTH TREATMENT PRODUCT QUALITY ENHANCEMENT - A method of improving the quality of diluted bitumen product in a bitumen froth treatment process is provided comprising: adding a demulsifier to bitumen froth to produce a mixture of bitumen froth and demulsifier, wherein the demulsifier is added at a dosage sufficient to reduce bitumen water content in the diluted bitumen product; subjecting the mixture of bitumen froth and demulsifier to a mixing energy input of greater than about 100 J/kg; adding a hydrocarbon diluent to the mixed mixture of bitumen froth and demulsifier to produce a diluent diluted bitumen froth; and subjecting the diluent diluted bitumen froth to a separation process to produce the diluted bitumen product. In one embodiment, demulsifier is first added to naphtha to form a demulsifier-diluent mixture which is then added to bitumen froth to form a diluted bitumen froth prior to subjecting the diluted bitumen froth to a mixing energy input of greater than about 100 J/kg. | 11-05-2015 |
20150315478 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FIELD TREATING HEAVY OR OTHERWISE CHALLENGING CRUDE OILS - Systems and methods are provided for improve the rheological properties of heavy crudes, waxy crudes, dilatant crudes and other crudes possessing challenging transporting properties utilizing hydrodynamic cavitation to crack hydrocarbons in the crude oil and thereby improve the transport properties of such crudes. | 11-05-2015 |
20150315479 | HYDROCARBONS - A method of removing hydrocarbon-based adherent, for example bitumen, from a solid substrate, for example tar sands comprises contacting the solid substrate which includes associated hydrocarbon-based adherent with a treatment formulation which includes a polymeric material which includes vinylalcohol and vinylacetate repeat units. The polymeric material may be a 70-95 mole % hydrolysed polyvinylalcohol. | 11-05-2015 |
20150329786 | INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR REDUCING SOLIDS FROM THE PRODUCT OF SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF OIL SANDS BITUMEN - A method is provided for producing a marketable bitumen product having low solids and essentially no water. The method can be integrated into existing solvent extraction processes for extracting bitumen from mined oil sand. A high-solids diluted bitumen is produced from a solvent extraction process and then mixed with a light solvent (LS) stream in at least a first mixer to produce a diluted bitumen-LS mixture. The diluted bitumen-LS mixture is subjected to separation in at least a first separator to produce low-solids diluted bitumen and high-solids asphaltene-rich tails. The LS is removed from the low-solids diluted bitumen to produce the marketable bitumen product. | 11-19-2015 |
20150337210 | WASHING OILY SOLIDS - Oil residues are removed from contaminated solids, in particular from cuttings produced from drilling a borehole using an oil-based drilling fluid, by contacting the solids with a washing fluid which comprises carbon dioxide and cosolvent under conditions at which carbon dioxide is a supercritical fluid and the cosolvent is in solution in the supercritical carbon dioxide and then separating washed solids from the washing fluid; wherein the washing fluid comprises at least 5% by volume of cosolvent which is one or more organic compounds with a Hildebrand solubility parameter in a range from 16 to 21 MPa | 11-26-2015 |
20150344786 | METHODS OF OBTAINING A HYDROCARBON MATERIAL FROM A MINED MATERIAL, AND RELATED STABILIZED EMULSIONS - A method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material comprises forming a colloidal dispersion comprising solid particles and a carrier fluid. The colloidal dispersion is mixed with a mined, hydrocarbon-containing material to form an emulsion stabilized by the solid particles. At least one property of the emulsion is modified to destabilize the emulsion. Additional methods of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material, and a stabilized emulsion are also described. | 12-03-2015 |
20160010004 | Method of Upgrading Heavy Crude Oil | 01-14-2016 |
20160017236 | APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING INTERMEDIATE OIL FROM OIL SHALE AND COLLECTING METHOD USING THE SAME - The present technology relates to an apparatus for effectively collecting kerogen contained in oil shale in a form of intermediate oil using an alternate operating scheme, and a collecting method using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to intermediate oil collecting apparatus and collecting method comprising the steps of: a) maximize heating and mixing effects by installing a heating coil and a heating jacket through which a heat carrier passes and a support for supporting the heating coil, in a body of an extraction device, b) heating and stirring sludge containing kerogen decomposition intermediate oil extracted from the extraction device, in a middle storage tank again, c) collecting, in an extraction agent collecting tank, an extraction agent or a low boiling point oil discharged in a process in which the extraction device returns to a normal pressure and reusing the collected extraction agent or the collected low boiling point oil in the middle storage tank, d) separating the sludge discharged from the middle storage tank into an intermediate oil/extraction agent mixture oil and residual sludge through a sludge separation device, and e) separating the separated mixture oil into the extraction agent and the intermediate oil by a separation distillation column and preheating and reusing the separated extraction agent. At this time, the oil shale can be continuously processed by applying the alternate operating scheme, and an extraction addition agent can be further used. The present invention can greatly improve a collection rate of the intermediate oil and can improve an extraction yield rate of kerogen ingredients at a relatively low temperature, so as to reduce energy use per basic unit of crude oil production and reduce air pollutants generated due to residue combustion. | 01-21-2016 |
20160017237 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR RECOVERING AND/OR REMOVING REAGENTS FROM POROUS MEDIA - A composition and method for displacing, dissolving, extracting, recovering, and/or removing solvent and/or any solvent-associated liquids from a solvent-treated material or penetrating through pores or the surface of a solvent-treated material using a solvent-extracting composition for contacting solvent-treated material and separating the solvent and any solvent-associated liquids from the solvent-treated material as well as the solvent-extracting composition. | 01-21-2016 |
20160090536 | BITUMEN RECOVERY FROM OIL SANDS TAILINGS - There is provided a method including: combining storage pond tailings with a heated tailings stream to form a tailings mixture, the storage pond tailings having a temperature and a solids content and the tailings mixture having a resulting solids content less than the solids content of the storage pond tailings; and treating the tailings mixture to recover bitumen therefrom. | 03-31-2016 |
20160115391 | Horizontal-Flow Oil Sands Separator for a Solvent Extraction Process - The disclosure includes techniques for recovering hydrocarbons from a bituminous feed in a non-aqueous extraction process, comprising a vessel that comprises a feed inlet on a proximate end of the vessel, a feed outlet on a distal end of the vessel, a bitumen outlet, and a plurality of hoppers, wherein each hopper comprises a tailing outlet. | 04-28-2016 |
20160122656 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING CONTINUOUS HEAT/PRESSURE TO CONTINUOUSLY FEED AND DISCHARGE HEATED/PRESSURIZED OIL SHALE SLUDGE IN KEROGEN EXTRACTION REACTOR - The present invention relates to an improvement over the invention previously submitted by the inventor relating to an apparatus for recovering heavy oil from oil shale and a method for recovery using same, the present invention relating to an apparatus for supplying continuous heat/pressure to continuously supply and discharge oil shale sludge, in which a plurality of unit extraction apparatuses, comprising a kerogen extraction apparatus and an intermediate storage tank, are installed to implement a continuous operation, which is an improvement over a semi-continuous operation of alternately operating the kerogen extraction apparatus and the intermediate storage tank. According to the present invention, the kerogen extraction apparatus can be continuously operated as sludge in a pressurized state can be continuously supplied by disposing a pressurized supply pump for sludge in between the continuous mixing apparatus for oil shale/extractant and the kerogen extraction apparatus, and a pressure-controlling discharging valve on the exit side thereof, and as the oil shale and extractant/light oil added into the continuous oil shale/extractant mixing apparatus are maintained in the preliminary previously-heated state, the energy load of the kerogen extraction apparatus, for heating the thermal medium of the oil shale/extractant continuous mixing apparatus, can be reduced as the load can be shared with the continuous mixing apparatus, and thus has the benefit of reducing expenses due to a reduction in the size of the reactor and the ease of scaling-up. | 05-05-2016 |
20160130507 | SYSTEM FOR EVAPORATING VOLATILE MATERIAL TO RECYCLE OIL SHALE EXTRACTION RESIDUE, AND METHOD FOR RECYCLING OIL SHALE EXTRACTION RESIDUE BY USING SAME - The present invention relates to a recycling system and a method for recycling by means of same, in which sludge, an extraction residue of oil shale, is drawn into a light oil mixing tank and mixed thoroughly by means of light oil or an extractant to separate heavy oil, then heavy oil and the extractant/light oil are additionally recovered by means of a sludge separation apparatus, and the oil shale sludge, which is an extraction residue, is transported, after preliminary storage in an intermediate storage tank, to an evaporation apparatus for recovering light oil so as to maximally recover the extractant/light oil and the like which is the final organic material possible to be recovered, thereby allowing dry oil shale residue to be generated. The present invention has the benefit of increasing the amount heavy oil recovered by additionally recovering heavy oil and light oil/extractant still remaining within the sludge, an extraction residue of oil shale from which heavy oil has been recovered by means of an extractant, and of allowing an environment-friendly post-processing step of eliminating the light oil/extractant and the like, which are the final discharges, from within the oil shale residue and thus reducing the organic content therein, and of minimizing the amount of light oil and extractant in the residual sludge by passing the heavy oil through the sludge separation apparatus and an evaporation process after extracting the heavy oil from the oil shale by means of the light oil or an extractant. | 05-12-2016 |
20170233660 | LOW INTERFACIAL TENSION SURFACTANTS FOR PETROLEUM APPLICATIONS | 08-17-2017 |
20180023006 | Oil recovery from sediments and residues from oil field operations | 01-25-2018 |
20190144763 | REMOVAL OF SILICON-CONTAINING CHEMICALS FROM HYDROCARBON STREAMS | 05-16-2019 |