US4138467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for concentrating heavy minerals in the solids tailings from hot water extraction of tar sands
Assignee: Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife
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Filing: 1977-03-04
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Granted: 1979-02-06
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Expires: 1997-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An oily mass of solids tailings is derived from flotation of bitumen during hot water extraction of bituminous sands, and subsequent separation of most of the bitumen from associated solids. This oily mass contains a high concentration of heavy minerals, in the order of 10% by weight titanium and 4% zirconium. The tailings are introduced into a hot reaction zone and contacted with oxygen while agitating the solids. The bitumen associated with the solids is burned, as is residual coke left from the combustion of the bitumen. The product particles are discrete, dry and clean. They can be slurried with water and passed through gravity concentrating means, such as a spiral, to produce a concentrate containing in the order of 18% titanium and 8% zirconium.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor Kaminsky
- 👤 Lloyd W. Trevoy
- 👤 Alvin Maskwa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:10
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B34/00; C22B34/10; C22B34/14; C22B1/00; C22B34/12; C22B34/1204; C22B34/1209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A process for beneficiating hot water process froth treatment solids tailings containing bitumen, fine solids and titanium and zirconium minerals, which comprises: introducing the solids tailings into a hot reaction zone and contacting the tailings particles with oxygen, while agitating them; burning the bitumen and coke produced therefrom to produce clean particles; and passing the particles through wet gravity mineral concentrating means to concentrate and recover titanium and zirconium minerals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for beneficiating hot water process froth treatment solids tailings containing bitumen, fine solids and titanium and zirconium minerals, which comprises: introducing the solids tailings into a hot reaction zone and contacting the tailings particles with oxygen, while agitating them; burning the bitumen and coke produced therefrom to produce clean particles; and passing the particles through wet gravity mineral concentrating means to concentrate and recover titanium and zirconium minerals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process for beneficiating hot water process froth treatment solids tailings containing bitumen, fine solids and titanium and zirconium minerals, which comprises: introducing the solids tailings into a hot reaction zone maintained at 800° - 1400° F; contacting the tailings with oxygen, while agitating them, to burn off the bitumen and coke produced therefrom, while simultaneously removing some of the fine solids from the zone by entraining them in gaseous products; mixing the clean tailings particles with water to produce a slurry; and passing the slurry through spiral concentrating means to concentrate the recover titanium and zirconium minerals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process for beneficiating hot water process froth treatment solids tailings containing bitumen, fine solids and titanium and zirconium minerals, which comprises: introducing the solids tailings into a hot reaction zone maintained at 800° - 1400° F; contacting the tailings with oxygen, while agitating them, to burn off the bitumen and coke produced therefrom, while simultaneously removing some of the fine solids from the zone by entraining them in gaseous products; mixing the clean tailings particles with water to produce a slurry; and passing the slurry through spiral concentrating means to concentrate the recover titanium and zirconium minerals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the tailings are heated to a temperature within the range 1000° F to 1200° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the tailings are scroll centrifugal separator tailings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the tailings are scroll centrifugal separator tailings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The process as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the slurry of tailings and water is passed through one or more hydrocyclones to remove fine solids; the hydrocyclone product containing titanium and zirconium minerals is mixed with additional water to produce a second slurry suitable for feeding to the mineral concentrator means; and the second slurry is fed to the spiral concentrating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the water content of the tailings immediately before the introducing step is at least 3% by weight of the tailings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the heating and burning steps are carried out in a fluid bed reactor.
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) | 1982-02-05 | 1982-08-07 | 1983-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-05 | 1986-08-07 | 1987-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-05 | 1990-08-07 | 1991-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |