Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100258308 | Water Integration Between An In-Situ Recovery Operation And A Bitumen Mining Operation - The present invention relates to a method and system for integrating water between an in-situ bitumen recovery operation and a bitumen mining operation for improving efficiencies and synergies there between. A method of integrating water between a bitumen mining and extraction operation and an in-situ bitumen recovery operation comprises a) providing water associated with the bitumen mining and extraction operation; and b) directing the water, or boiler feed water or steam generated therefrom, to the in-situ bitumen recovery operation for use therein. Steam generated is used to assist in bitumen recovery at the in-situ facility. A basic system for integrating water between a bitumen mining and extraction operation and an in-situ bitumen recovery operation comprises a) a bitumen mining and extraction facility having a source of water; b) an in-situ bitumen recovery facility; c) a transporter for transporting the water, or boiler feed water or steam generated therefrom, to the in-situ bitumen recovery facility for use in an in-situ bitumen recovery operation. | 10-14-2010 |
20100275600 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RECOVERING HEAT AND WATER AND GENERATING POWER FROM BITUMEN MINING OPERATIONS - A method recovering heat and water from a warm slurry, such as warm tailings from a oil sands extraction mining operation, is provided. The method comprises providing the tailings to a vacuum vessel, removing, from the vacuum vessel, warm vapor derived from the tailings, condensing the warm vapor in a condenser to produce water, and recovering the water from the condenser. Cool river or pond water can be warmed with the heat from the vapor for additional uses in the mining operation. Essentially pure water can be obtained in the process. This can also be achieved using one or flash vessels in series to condense the vapor. Power can also be generated from the vapor using a turbine. | 11-04-2010 |
20100276341 | Heat and Water Recovery From Tailings Using Gas Humidification/Dehumidification - A system and method of recovering heat and water from a slurry, such as tailings from oil sands extraction, is provided. The method includes providing the tailings to a humidification vessel, adding a sufficiently dry gas directly to the slurry in the vessel to form warm, water-saturated gas, such that heat and water are recovered from the slurry, removing the warm, water-saturated gas from the humidification vessel, providing the warm, water-saturated gas to a direct contact condensation vessel, cooling the gas in the condensation vessel to condense the water from the gas, thereby extracting water from the warm, water-saturated gas and recycling the dry gas, and recovering the water from the condensation vessel. Water which is of high quality, suitable for steam generation is obtained by a method in accordance with the present invention. | 11-04-2010 |
20100276983 | INTEGRATION OF AN IN-SITU RECOVERY OPERATION WITH A MINING OPERATION - This description is directed to a method and system for integrating an in-situ bitumen recovery operation with a bitumen mining operation for improved efficiencies and synergies therebetween. The method comprises obtaining a production fluid from the in-situ bitumen recovery operation, directing the production fluid to the bitumen mining operation, and incorporating the production fluid into the bitumen mining operation. The basic integrated system comprises a production well for recovering production fluid from the in-situ bitumen recovery operation, a bitumen mining and extraction facility, and a transporter for directing the production fluid from the production well to the bitumen mining and extraction facility for incorporation into the mining and extraction operation. The in-situ recovery operation may be a thermal operation, such as steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), cyclic steam stimulation (CSS), or a derivative thereof. | 11-04-2010 |
20100282593 | RECOVERY OF HIGH WATER FROM PRODUCED WATER ARISING FROM A THERMAL HYDROCARBON RECOVERY OPERATION USING VACCUM TECHNOLOGIES - A method for reducing and re-using waste heat and water resulting from thermal hydrocarbon recovery operations involving accessing a hot water stream produced in a thermal hydrocarbon recovery operation; vaporizing water from the water stream by applying a vacuum, thereby producing water vapor; and condensing the water vapor to produce high quality water. A system is described including a hot water intake interfacing with a hot water stream from a thermal hydrocarbon recovery operation; a vaporization module receiving the hot water stream from the hot water intake, comprising a vacuum chamber in which a vacuum is applied to produce water vapor from the hot water stream; a condensation module in which water vapor produced in the vaporization module is condensed to form high quality water; and a water outlet for releasing the high quality water from the condensation module for re-use within the thermal hydrocarbon recovery operation. | 11-11-2010 |
20110061610 | Heat and Water Recovery From Oil Sands Waste Streams - Methods and systems for recovering heat and water from waste streams produced during oil sands extraction to form dry, stackable tailings. A tailings stream is preheated in a heat exchanger, thereby reducing the energy required to dry the tailings. The preheated tailings are then dried, thereby reducing the tailings to dry stackable tailings or thickened tailings suitable for mine backfill. Heat and high-quality water are recovered from the drying operation and re-used in the preheat operation, or in other steps of oil sands extraction or treatment processes, thereby reducing the overall heat and water requirements. | 03-17-2011 |
20120288419 | System And Method For Treating Tailings From Bitumen Extraction - A system and method for treating tailings from a bitumen froth treatment process such as TSRU tailings. The tailings are dewatered and then combusted to convert kaolin in the tailings into metakaolin. Calcined fines and heavy minerals may be recovered from the combustion products, namely from the flue gas and bottom ash. | 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20140069641 | INTEGRATION OF VISCOUS OIL RECOVERY PROCESSES - The present disclosure relates generally to the integration of at least two viscous oil recovery processes (VORPs), at least one of which is a solvent-dominated recovery process (SDRP). Integration of the SDRP and the VORP may be achieved through at least one of: solvent, heat, a production stream, and a viscous oil reservoir. | 03-13-2014 |
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 |
20140083694 | Methods and Systems for Providing Steam - A system is provided for improved steam generation. The system includes at least two steam systems, wherein a wet steam output from a first steam system is passed through a first separator. The first separator configured to separate dry steam from condensate, and a piping connection is configured to blend the condensate with a boiler feed water stream at the inlet of a second steam system. | 03-27-2014 |
20140083706 | Methods and Systems for Providing Steam - A steam system is provided that includes a steam generator including boiler tubes that are modified to form a number of intermediate take-offs for removing water and steam from the boiler tubes. A number of intermediate separators are provided to separate the water and steam at each of the intermediate take-offs. Intermediate couplings are used to inject the water back into the boiler tubes downstream of each of the plurality of intermediate take-offs. | 03-27-2014 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20140311951 | System and Integrated Method For Treatment of Tailings From Bitumen Extraction Process - A system and method for treating tailings from a bitumen froth treatment process such as TSRU tailings. The tailings are dewatered to at least 50 wt percent solids content, and then combusted to convert kaolin in the tailings into metakaolin. Calcined fines and heavy minerals may be recovered from the combustion products, namely from the flue gas or bottom ash or both. A trafficable deposit may be formed from the ash when mixed with tailings, such as mature fine tailings (MFT). | 10-23-2014 |
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 |
20150034555 | Treatment of De-Oiled Oilfield Produced Water or De-Oiled Process Affected Water From Hydrocarbon Production - Generally, the present disclosure provides a process for treating de-oiled oilfield produced water or de-oiled process affected water from hydrocarbon production. In particular, such water is treated with a regenerable polymeric ion exchange resin to remove water soluble ionic surfactants. The treating can involve ion-exchanging ionic polymeric membrane foulants with non-fouling soluble ionic species that can be removed by polymeric membrane. | 02-05-2015 |
20150041370 | METHOD OF USING A SILICATE-CONTAINING STREAM FROM A HYDROCARBON OPERATION OR FROM A GEOTHERMAL SOURCE TO TREAT FLUID TAILINGS BY CHEMICALLY-INDUCED MICRO-AGGLOMERATION - Disclosed is a method for treating oil sands tailings. The tailings are conditioned with an aluminate and treated with a silicate-containing stream from a hydrocarbon operation or from a geothermal source to produce chemically-induced micro-agglomerates (CIMA) and water. | 02-12-2015 |