US3893907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the treatment of tar sand froth
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1973-09-10
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract An improved method of separating bitumen from bitumen coated tar sand comprising the steps of forming a tar sand froth by contacting and agitating the coated particles with a hot liquid, separating the particles of the froth from the bitumen by centrifuging the forth in a disc recycling type of centrifuge apparatus which provides a relatively light overflow effluent and a relatively heavier underflow effluent where the underflow effluent of the centrifuge is fed back to an input of the centrifuge to a return flow path. A liquid wetting transfer agent is combined with the underflow effluent in the return flow path to provide a greatly enhanced separating characteristic. An improved disc recycling type of centrifuge apparatus includes means for converting the flow direction of the recycled underflow and causing the recycled underflow to self impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard P Canevari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:31
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04; C10G1/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A METHOD OF SEPARATING BITUMEN FROM BITUMEN-COATED PARTICLES COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: FORMING A FROTH OF THE BITUMEN-COATED PARTICLES BY CONTACTING AND AGITATING THE COATED PARTICLES WITH A HOT LIQUID, SEPARATING THE PARTICLES OF THE FROTH FROM THE BITUMEN BY CENTRIFUGING THE FROTH IN A DISC RECYCLING APPARATUS WHICH PROVIDES A RELATIVELY LIGHT OVERFLOW EFFLUENT AND A RELATIVELY HEAVIER UNDERFLOW EFFLUENT AND WHEREIN THE UNDERFLOW EFFLUENT OF THE CENTRIFUGE IS FED BACK TO AN INPUT OF THE CENTRIFUGE THROUGH A RETURN FLOW PATH, AND, COMBINING A LIQUID WETTING TRANSFER AGENT WITH THE UNDERFLOW EFFLUENT IN THE RETURN FLOW PATH.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A METHOD OF SEPARATING BITUMEN FROM BITUMEN-COATED PARTICLES COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: FORMING A FROTH OF THE BITUMEN-COATED PARTICLES BY CONTACTING AND AGITATING THE COATED PARTICLES WITH A HOT LIQUID, SEPARATING THE PARTICLES OF THE FROTH FROM THE BITUMEN BY CENTRIFUGING THE FROTH IN A DISC RECYCLING APPARATUS WHICH PROVIDES A RELATIVELY LIGHT OVERFLOW EFFLUENT AND A RELATIVELY HEAVIER UNDERFLOW EFFLUENT AND WHEREIN THE UNDERFLOW EFFLUENT OF THE CENTRIFUGE IS FED BACK TO AN INPUT OF THE CENTRIFUGE THROUGH A RETURN FLOW PATH, AND, COMBINING A LIQUID WETTING TRANSFER AGENT WITH THE UNDERFLOW EFFLUENT IN THE RETURN FLOW PATH.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hot liquid comprises water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the transfer agent is mixed with the underflow effluent in the return flow path in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to 1.0% by weight based on the total froth in the return flow path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said transfer agent comprises about 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent based on the total froth in the return flow path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium silicate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of combining a demulsifying agent with the froth feed to the disc recycling centrifuging apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the demulsifier comprises about 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent based on the weight of the froth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the demulsifier comprises about 0.2 weight percent based on the weight of the froth.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of separating bitumen from bitumen coated tar sand comprising the steps of: forming a froth of the bitumen coated particles by contacting and agitating the tar sands with a hot liquid; adding a bitumen solvent to the froth; removing relatively coarse particles from the suspension to provide a froth with relatively fine particles; adding a demulsifier to the froth containing the fine particles; separating the finer particles from the froth by centrifuging the froth in a disc recycling centrifuging apparatus which provides a relatively light overflow effluent and a relatively heavier underflow effluent and wherein an underflow effluent of the centrifuge is fed back to an input of the centrifuge through a return flow path; combining a water-wetting transfer agent with The underflow effluent in the return flow path; conveying a relatively heavy portion of said underflow effluent to a recovery vessel; and, removing the water and solvent constituents of said overflow effluent.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of separating bitumen from bitumen coated tar sand comprising the steps of: forming a froth of the bitumen coated particles by contacting and agitating the tar sands with a hot liquid; adding a bitumen solvent to the froth; removing relatively coarse particles from the suspension to provide a froth with relatively fine particles; adding a demulsifier to the froth containing the fine particles; separating the finer particles from the froth by centrifuging the froth in a disc recycling centrifuging apparatus which provides a relatively light overflow effluent and a relatively heavier underflow effluent and wherein an underflow effluent of the centrifuge is fed back to an input of the centrifuge through a return flow path; combining a water-wetting transfer agent with The underflow effluent in the return flow path; conveying a relatively heavy portion of said underflow effluent to a recovery vessel; and, removing the water and solvent constituents of said overflow effluent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said relatively coarse particles are removed by centrifuging said suspension.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |