US3813030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for tar sands bitumen froth treatment
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1973-05-24
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1993-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for treating tar sands bitumen froth wherein the froth is centrifuged in a first zone to separate coarse mineral particles therefrom, the froth is then treated in a second centrifuge zone to separate fine mineral particles therefrom, and at least part of the fine mineral particle underflow from the second centrifuge zone is treated in the first centrifuge zone to remove additional bitumen associated with the fine mineral particles, and at least part of the thus treated fine mineral particles are removed from the first centrifuge zone along with the coarse mineral particles.
Inventors
- 👤 D Curtin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:57
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/10; B03; B03B; B03B9/00; B03B9/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S494/00; Y10S494/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for treating tar sands bitumen froth containing bitumen, water, diluent if different from water, water-wet coarse mineral particles, and hydrocarbon-wet fine mineral particles to separate substantial amounts of water and mineral particles from the bitumen comprising centrifuging said froth in a first centrifuging zone to separate said froth into a first overhead fraction containing essentially bitumen, diluent, water, and fine mineral particles and a first underflow fraction containing essentially water, diluent, and coarse mineral particles; said coarse mineral particles having a size of greater than about 5 microns, and said fine mineral particles having a size of about equal to or less than 5 microns; centrifuging said first overhead fraction in a second centrifuging zone to separate said first overhead fraction into a second overhead bitumen product fraction containing essentially bitumen and diluent and containing substantially less water and mineral particles than said froth feed and a second underflow fraction containing essentially water and fine mineral particles; and passing at least part of said second underflow fraction to said first centrifuging zone whereby residual bitumen is removed at least in part from said fine mineral particles and said fine mineral particles are removed at least in part in said first underflow fraction along with said coarse mineral particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for treating tar sands bitumen froth containing bitumen, water, diluent if different from water, water-wet coarse mineral particles, and hydrocarbon-wet fine mineral particles to separate substantial amounts of water and mineral particles from the bitumen comprising centrifuging said froth in a first centrifuging zone to separate said froth into a first overhead fraction containing essentially bitumen, diluent, water, and fine mineral particles and a first underflow fraction containing essentially water, diluent, and coarse mineral particles; said coarse mineral particles having a size of greater than about 5 microns, and said fine mineral particles having a size of about equal to or less than 5 microns; centrifuging said first overhead fraction in a second centrifuging zone to separate said first overhead fraction into a second overhead bitumen product fraction containing essentially bitumen and diluent and containing substantially less water and mineral particles than said froth feed and a second underflow fraction containing essentially water and fine mineral particles; and passing at least part of said second underflow fraction to said first centrifuging zone whereby residual bitumen is removed at least in part from said fine mineral particles and said fine mineral particles are removed at least in part in said first underflow fraction along with said coarse mineral particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein at least 50 volume percent of said second underflow fraction based on the total volume of said fraction is treated in said first centrifuging zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
172 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein in said first overhead fraction the combination of bitumen, water and diluent comprises the major part of said first overhead fraction while the combination of fine and coarse mineral particles comprise a minor part of said fraction, in said first underflow fraction after retreatment of at least part of said second underflow fraction in said first centrifuging zone the combination of fine and coarse mineral particles comprises a major part of said first underflow fraction while the combination of bitumen, water, and diluent comprises a minor part of said fraction, in said second overhead fraction the combination of bitumen, water, and diluent comprises the major part of said second overhead fraction while the combination of fine and coarse mineral particles comprises a minor part of said fraction, and in said second underflow fraction the combination of fine and coarse mineral particles comprises a major part of said second underflow fraction while the combination of bitumen, water, and diluent comprises a minor part of said fraction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2013668A
Cited
GB480943A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |