US4046668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double solvent extraction of organic constituents from tar sands
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1976-01-12
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Granted: 1977-09-06
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Expires: 1996-01-12
Abstract
Abstract Extraction of hydrocarbons from tar sands with a light naphtha/methanol solvent system results in rapid decrepitation of the tar-sand aggregate and separation of organic matter into three phases. Distribution of the extracted and non-extracted organic material is among the phases. The most desirable, non-polar organic materials are recovered from the light naphtha phase; more polar soluble constituents are recovered from the methanol phase; and less desirable asphaltenes separate as a precipitate.
Inventors
- 👤 Malvina Farcasiu
- 👤 Darrell Duayne Whitehurst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:19
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sand which comprises: A. mixing tar sand with a solvent mixture of light naphtha comprising C 5 to C 9 carbon atoms per molecule and methanol to produce a light naphtha fraction with solublized non-polar components, a methanol fraction with solublized polar components and a solid sand fraction with accumulated asphaltenes on the sand surface; B. separating by decanting said light naphtha fraction from said methanol fraction, C. separating said methanol fraction from said solid, sand fraction, and D. separating and recovering polar and non-polar components from said separated solvent mixture components.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sand which comprises: A. mixing tar sand with a solvent mixture of light naphtha comprising C 5 to C 9 carbon atoms per molecule and methanol to produce a light naphtha fraction with solublized non-polar components, a methanol fraction with solublized polar components and a solid sand fraction with accumulated asphaltenes on the sand surface; B. separating by decanting said light naphtha fraction from said methanol fraction, C. separating said methanol fraction from said solid, sand fraction, and D. separating and recovering polar and non-polar components from said separated solvent mixture components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said light naphtha/methanol solvent mixture is composed of 70 vol. % of light naphtha and 30 vol. % of methanol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said methanol fraction is separated from the sand and accumulated asphaltenes by filtration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein sand comprising deposited asphaltenes is combusted and used as a source of energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein asphaltenes accumulated with said sand are extracted with an aromatic solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said aromatic solvent is pyridine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said aromatic solvent is gamma-picoline.
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) | 1980-09-05 | 1981-03-07 | 1981-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-05 | 1985-03-07 | 1985-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-05 | 1989-03-07 | 1989-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |