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US4236995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for recovering bitumen from tar sand
Assignee: Kruyer Tar Sand Development Inc
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Filing: 1979-05-10
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Granted: 1980-12-02
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Expires: 1999-05-10
Abstract
Abstract Oil sand is mixed with steam and water in a tumbler to produce a slurry. The slurry is then transferred to the immersed portion of an apertured inclined surface in a water bath. The inclined surface may be in the form of a rotating drum, a tilted rotating dish or an inclined moving endless conveyor belt. The sand particles drop through the apertures and are collected from the base of the bath and discarded. The bitumen moves to the submerged portion of the oleophilic inclined surface and attempts to pass through the apertures; it touches the surface and adheres thereto. The adhering bitumen is collected when the coated surface emerges from the slurry. The process gives a good recovery of a bitumen product which has acceptable quantities of solid and water contamination. The temperature of separation, the need for reagents, and water requirements are reduced in comparison to the prior art. The process can generally be used for separating oleophilic materials from hydrophilic materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Kruyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:18
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04; C10G1/047; C10C; C10C3/00; C10C3/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for recovering bitumen from oil sand comprising: (a) providing an oil sand slurry in which bitumen and solids are dispersed in water with the bitumen having a viscosity of between about 0.1 and 10,000 poises, (b) temporarily supporting the slurry with an apertured barrier having an oleophilic surface, said barrier being partly immersed in a heated water bath to permit a separation of slurry solids from bitumen, the solids dropping through the apertures while the bitumen adheres to and coats the oleophilic surface of the barrier and the walls of apertures within the barrier, (c) forcing the bitumen adhering to the oleophilic barrier surface through the apertures with a transfer roller after the barrier has been removed from the bath; and (d) recovering the bitumen from the surface of the barrier to which it has been transferred and out of the apertures, while it is out of the bath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for recovering bitumen from oil sand comprising: (a) providing an oil sand slurry in which bitumen and solids are dispersed in water with the bitumen having a viscosity of between about 0.1 and 10,000 poises, (b) temporarily supporting the slurry with an apertured barrier having an oleophilic surface, said barrier being partly immersed in a heated water bath to permit a separation of slurry solids from bitumen, the solids dropping through the apertures while the bitumen adheres to and coats the oleophilic surface of the barrier and the walls of apertures within the barrier, (c) forcing the bitumen adhering to the oleophilic barrier surface through the apertures with a transfer roller after the barrier has been removed from the bath; and (d) recovering the bitumen from the surface of the barrier to which it has been transferred and out of the apertures, while it is out of the bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pH of said slurry and of said bath does not exceed 8.0 during the separation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range 32°-212° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the apertures in the supporting barrier have an average dimension within the range 0.05 to 0.5 inches and the thickness of the supporting barrier does not exceed three mean aperture dimensions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slurry undergoing separation contains at least one half pound of water per pound of oil sand feed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the transfer roller has an oleophilic surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein bitumen is also recovered from the surface of the transfer roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method as set forth in claim 4 comprising: (a) recovering the bitumen from the apertured barrier with an oleophilic collecting roller which contacts the surface of said barrier; and (b) scraping the bitumen from the collecting roller for further treatment; (c) said transfer and collecting rollers being positioned so that there is a small positive distance of offset between the centers of the rollers relative to each other in the direction of movement of the apertured barrier such that mounds of bitumen are produced on the collecting roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the apertured barrier is a rotating drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the apertured barrier is a perforated conveyor belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the apertured barrier is a mesh conveyor belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said oil sand consists of a mined oil sand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range of 85° to 140° F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range of 141° to 212° F.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for recovering bitumen from oil sand, which comprises; (a) mixing oil sand with water and steam in a rotating conditioning drum to form a slurry and dispersing the oil sand components by a combination of heating and dilution with water wherein the bitumen has a viscosity between about 0.1 and 10,000 poises; (b) transferring the slurry from the conditioning drum to a rotating apertured separation drum having oleophilic surfaces said separation drum being partly immersed in a heated water bath; (c) temporarily supporting the slurry within the separation drum, whereby oil sand solids drop through the apertures and the bitumen moves to the inner oleophilic surface and to the walls of the apertures of the separation drum and adheres thereto; (d) forcing bitumen adhering to the oleophilic inner surface of the separation drum through the apertures with a transfer roller after the oleophilic surface has been rotated from the bath; and (e) recovering the bitumen from the outside surface of the separation drum and out of the apertures, while it is out of the bath.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for recovering bitumen from oil sand, which comprises; (a) mixing oil sand with water and steam in a rotating conditioning drum to form a slurry and dispersing the oil sand components by a combination of heating and dilution with water wherein the bitumen has a viscosity between about 0.1 and 10,000 poises; (b) transferring the slurry from the conditioning drum to a rotating apertured separation drum having oleophilic surfaces said separation drum being partly immersed in a heated water bath; (c) temporarily supporting the slurry within the separation drum, whereby oil sand solids drop through the apertures and the bitumen moves to the inner oleophilic surface and to the walls of the apertures of the separation drum and adheres thereto; (d) forcing bitumen adhering to the oleophilic inner surface of the separation drum through the apertures with a transfer roller after the oleophilic surface has been rotated from the bath; and (e) recovering the bitumen from the outside surface of the separation drum and out of the apertures, while it is out of the bath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the pH of said slurry and of said bath does not exceed 8.0 during the separation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein: (a) the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range of 32°-212° F.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the apertures in the supporting wall of the separation drum have an average dimension within the range 0.05 to 0.50 inches and the thickness of the separation drum walls does not exceed three mean aperture dimensions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the slurry undergoing separation contains at least one half pound of water per pound of oil sand feed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method as set forth in claim 18 comprising: (a) recovering the bitumen from the outside surface of the separation drum with an oleophilic collecting roller which contacts said surface; and (b) scraping the bitumen from the collecting roller for further treatment; (c) said transfer and collecting rollers being positioned so that there is a small positive angle of offset between the centers of the rollers relative to the center of the separation drum such that mounds of bitumen are produced on the collecting roller.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the oil sand consists of a mined oil sand.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 21 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range of 85° to 140° F.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 21 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range of 141° to 212° F.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for recovering bitumen from oil sand, which comprises: (a) mixing oil sand with water and steam in a rotating conditioning drum to form a slurry and dispersing the oil sand components by a combination of steam jetting and dilution with water and tumbling wherein the bitumen has a viscosity between about 0.1 and 10,000 poises, (b) transferring the slurry from the conditioning drum to a moving apertured mesh endless separation belt having a top and a bottom flight and having oleophilic surfaces, said separation belt being partly immersed in a heated water bath; (c) temporarily supporting the slurry with at least one flight of the endless belt, whereby oil sand solids drop through the apertures and the bitumen moves to the oleophilic surface and to the walls of the apertures of the separation belt and adheres thereto; (d) forcing bitumen adhering to the oleophilic surface of the separation belt through the apertures with a transfer roller after the oleophilic surface has revolved out of the bath; and (e) recovering the bitumen from the surface of the endless belt to which it has been transferred and out of the apertures, while it is out of the bath.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for recovering bitumen from oil sand, which comprises: (a) mixing oil sand with water and steam in a rotating conditioning drum to form a slurry and dispersing the oil sand components by a combination of steam jetting and dilution with water and tumbling wherein the bitumen has a viscosity between about 0.1 and 10,000 poises, (b) transferring the slurry from the conditioning drum to a moving apertured mesh endless separation belt having a top and a bottom flight and having oleophilic surfaces, said separation belt being partly immersed in a heated water bath; (c) temporarily supporting the slurry with at least one flight of the endless belt, whereby oil sand solids drop through the apertures and the bitumen moves to the oleophilic surface and to the walls of the apertures of the separation belt and adheres thereto; (d) forcing bitumen adhering to the oleophilic surface of the separation belt through the apertures with a transfer roller after the oleophilic surface has revolved out of the bath; and (e) recovering the bitumen from the surface of the endless belt to which it has been transferred and out of the apertures, while it is out of the bath.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein the pH of said slurry and of said bath being such as not to exceed 8.0 during the separation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range 32°-212° F.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the apertures in the endless belt have an average dimension within the range 0.05 to 0.5 inches and the thickness of the belt does not exceed three mean aperture dimensions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the slurry undergoing separation contains at least one half pound of water per pound of oil sand feed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the transfer roller has an oleophilic surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the endless belt has a first and second flight and wherein the oil sand passing through the apertures in the first flight of the endless belt are supported with the second flight of the endless belt, whereby oil sand solids drop through the apertures in the second flight and the bitumen moves to the oleophilic surface and to the walls of the apertures of the separation belt and adheres thereto for subsequent removal after said belt surface has moved out of the water bath.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method set forth in claim 30 wherein the first flight of the endless belt is the top flight and the second flight is the bottom flight.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method as set forth in claim 31 comprising: (a) recovering the bitumen from the apertured endless belt with an oleophilic collecting roller which contacts the surface of said belt; and (b) scraping the bitumen from the collecting roller for further treatment; (c) said transfer and collecting rollers being positioned so that there is a small positive distance of offset between the centers of the rollers relative to each other in the direction of movement of the endless belt such that mounds of bitumen are produced on the collecting roller.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 32 wherein the oil sand is a mined oil sand.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range of 85°-140° F.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein the temperature of the slurry undergoing separation is within the range of 141°-212° F.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-06-02 | 1984-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-02 | 1988-06-02 | 1988-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-02 | 1992-06-02 | 1992-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |