US4136014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for separation of bitumen from tar sands
Assignee: University of Alberta
•
Filing: 1977-11-14
•
Granted: 1979-01-23
•
Expires: 1997-11-14
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for separation of bitumen from tar sands involving an electric flotation cell formed of a container in which is placed a charge of unseparated tar sand to a first level and which is then filled with water to a second level and electrodes positioned in the cell in relation to the tar sand such that on application of a voltage to the electrodes an electric current flows through the tar sand and water. It has been found that after application of the electrical energy to the tar sands agitation and then separation takes place with the bitumen being floated to the upper surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick E. Vermeulen
- 👤 Frederick S. Chute
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:21
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of separation of bitumen from tar sands comprising: (a) placing a charge of unseparated tar sand to a first level and an amount of water to a second level in a container, (b) applying electrical energy to the tar sand, such that an electric current passes through the tar sand and the water, (c) continuing the application of electrical energy until the tar sands and water have been agitated, mixed and the bitumen separated from the sand, and floated upward to the top of the water, and (d) removing the flotation layer for further processing, said layer containing a high proportion of the bitumen occuring in the charge of tar sand.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of separation of bitumen from tar sands comprising: (a) placing a charge of unseparated tar sand to a first level and an amount of water to a second level in a container, (b) applying electrical energy to the tar sand, such that an electric current passes through the tar sand and the water, (c) continuing the application of electrical energy until the tar sands and water have been agitated, mixed and the bitumen separated from the sand, and floated upward to the top of the water, and (d) removing the flotation layer for further processing, said layer containing a high proportion of the bitumen occuring in the charge of tar sand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A separation method as in claim 1 wherein the method of applying electrical energy to the tar sand is by means of electrodes placed at two positions in relation to the tar sand.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A separation method as in claim 1 wherein the method of applying electrical energy to the tar sand is by applying microwave energy directly to the tar sand.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A separation method as in claim 1 wherein the amount of water placed in the container results in a level of water above the tar sand one or more times that of the sand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A separation method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling the pH level of the tar sand and water by means of additives.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA561709A
Cited
GB321910A
Cited
US2009366A
Cited
US3782465A
Cited
US3862662A
Cited
DE2427031A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-22 | 1982-07-24 | 1983-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-22 | 1986-07-24 | 1987-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-22 | 1990-07-24 | 1991-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |