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US4071434A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Recovery of oil from tar sands

Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1976-08-30
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1996-08-30
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Abstract

Abstract A tar sands slurry containing sand particles of varying sizes dispersed therein is passed into a classifier wherein it is subdivided into at least two streams, each stream containing either coarse or fine solids. The stream containing coarse solids is directed to a separate solids removal zone where the solids are removed. The effluent from the solids removal zone and the fine solid containing stream are then fed to a coking zone.

Inventors

  • 👤 II Phillip H. Gifford

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 15:38
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/002; C10B; C10B53/00; C10B53/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 127 words
A process for recovery of oil and other valuable components from tar sand which comprises: a. introducing into a mixing zone tar sand and a sufficient amount of a solvent to form a flowable slurry; b. mixing tar sand and solvent in the mixing zone until a slurry of desired viscosity is produced; c. subdividing the slurry produced in step (b) into two streams, a first stream containing coarse solids and a second stream containing fine solids; d. passing the said first stream through a solids removal zone to remove the coarse solids therein; and e. introducing the first stream, after it has passed through the solids removal zone, and the second stream, still containing the fine solids, into a coking zone to produce vapors and coke.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 127 words
A process for recovery of oil and other valuable components from tar sand which comprises: a. introducing into a mixing zone tar sand and a sufficient amount of a solvent to form a flowable slurry; b. mixing tar sand and solvent in the mixing zone until a slurry of desired viscosity is produced; c. subdividing the slurry produced in step (b) into two streams, a first stream containing coarse solids and a second stream containing fine solids; d. passing the said first stream through a solids removal zone to remove the coarse solids therein; and e. introducing the first stream, after it has passed through the solids removal zone, and the second stream, still containing the fine solids, into a coking zone to produce vapors and coke.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 173 words
A process for recovery of oil and other valuable components from tar sand which comprises: a. introducing into a mixing zone tar sand and a sufficient amount of a solvent comprising a heavy bottoms oil to form a flowable slurry; b. mixing tar sand and solvent in the mixing zone until a slurry of desired viscosity is produced; c. subdividing the slurry produced in step (b) into two streams, a first stream containing coarse solids and a second stream containing fine solids; d. passing the said first stream through a solids removal zone to remove the coarse solids therein; e. introducing the first stream, after it has passed through the solids removal zone, and the second stream, still containing the fine solids, into a coking zone to produce vapors and coke; f. withdrawing the coke produced in the coking zone; g. feeding the vapors produced in the coking zone into a fractionating zone; and h. fractionating the liquid vapors to produce gas, gasoline, oil fractions including high boiling fractions, and heavy bottoms oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 173 words
A process for recovery of oil and other valuable components from tar sand which comprises: a. introducing into a mixing zone tar sand and a sufficient amount of a solvent comprising a heavy bottoms oil to form a flowable slurry; b. mixing tar sand and solvent in the mixing zone until a slurry of desired viscosity is produced; c. subdividing the slurry produced in step (b) into two streams, a first stream containing coarse solids and a second stream containing fine solids; d. passing the said first stream through a solids removal zone to remove the coarse solids therein; e. introducing the first stream, after it has passed through the solids removal zone, and the second stream, still containing the fine solids, into a coking zone to produce vapors and coke; f. withdrawing the coke produced in the coking zone; g. feeding the vapors produced in the coking zone into a fractionating zone; and h. fractionating the liquid vapors to produce gas, gasoline, oil fractions including high boiling fractions, and heavy bottoms oil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process as claimed in claim 2 further comprising recycling the heavy liquid bottoms oil from the fractionating zone to the mixing zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein passing the first stream through the separation zone includes filtering.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein passing the first stream through the separation zone includes allowing the coarse sand to settle.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

CA878656A Cited
US2910424A Cited
US2885339A Cited
US3070541A Cited
US3466240A Cited
US3480540A Cited
US3553099A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-01-30 1981-08-01 1982-01-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-01-30 1985-08-01 1986-01-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-01-30 1989-08-01 1990-01-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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