US4392944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alkali recycle process for recovery of heavy oils and bitumens
Assignee: Alberta Innovates
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Filing: 1980-06-09
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Granted: 1983-07-12
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Expires: 2000-06-09
Abstract
Abstract Heavy oils, including oil sands, are recovered from mined or in-situ formation by a novel procedure which involves an initial emulsification of the oil with aqueous alkali, usually sodium hydroxide solution, at a pH above about 11. After separation of any residual solid phase, such as sand, the resulting oil-in-water emulsion is inverted by the use of slaked lime to form a water-in-oil emulsion and thereby regenerating part of the sodium hydroxide solution. The water-in-oil emulsion is dewatered to recover the oil phase while the aqueous phase is recycled to the initial emulsification, after removal of clay particles when oil sands are treated.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Kessick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:49
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04; C10G1/047; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A process for the recovery of oil, which comprises: contacting a crude oil having an API gravity value of less than 25° C. and containing groups capable of forming surfactants with water containing at least sufficient sodium hydroxide to provide a pH of the water of at least about 11 so as to form an oil-in-water emulsion having a concentration of about 10 to about 60 wt. % of the crude oil, contacting said oil-in-water emulsion with slaked lime in an amount of about 0.02 to about 1 wt. % of the oil in said oil-in-water emulsion and sufficient to invert said oil-in-water emulsion to form a water-in-oil emulsion, dewatering the water-in-oil emulsion to recover said oil therefrom, and recovering an aqueous sodium medium containing at least a major proportion of said sodium hydroxide from said emulsion inversion and dewatering steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A process for the recovery of oil, which comprises: contacting a crude oil having an API gravity value of less than 25° C. and containing groups capable of forming surfactants with water containing at least sufficient sodium hydroxide to provide a pH of the water of at least about 11 so as to form an oil-in-water emulsion having a concentration of about 10 to about 60 wt. % of the crude oil, contacting said oil-in-water emulsion with slaked lime in an amount of about 0.02 to about 1 wt. % of the oil in said oil-in-water emulsion and sufficient to invert said oil-in-water emulsion to form a water-in-oil emulsion, dewatering the water-in-oil emulsion to recover said oil therefrom, and recovering an aqueous sodium medium containing at least a major proportion of said sodium hydroxide from said emulsion inversion and dewatering steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said pH is at least about 12.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said sodium hydroxide is used in an amount of about 0.05 to about 1.5 wt. % based on the weight of said crude oil and said sodium hydroxide solution is of a concentration of up to about 0.5 wt. % NaOH.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said sodium hydroxide solution has a concentration of about 0.1 to about 0.2 wt. % NaOH.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 or 3 wherein said water is deaerated water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said contact is effected at a temperature of about 60° to about 80° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said slaked lime is used in an amount of about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt. % of the oil in the oil-in-water emulsion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said dewatering of said water-in-oil emulsion is effected by dissolving the oil in a water-immiscible solvent therefor, separating the resulting solvent-oil solution from the aqueous phase, and recovering the oil from the solvent-oil solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 or 8 wherein aqueous medium is recycled to the crude oil contacting step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said emulsion inversion and water-in-oil emulsion dewatering are effected by mixing with said oil-in-water emulsion sufficient water-immiscible solvent for said oil to dissolve the same, sufficient slaked lime to invert said oil-in-water emulsion to form a water-in-oil emulsion and sufficient water-soluble high molecular weight partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide to cause separation of the resulting mixture into a solvent-oil solution phase, an aqueous phase and a mineral solids phase.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said aqueous phase is recycled to the crude oil contacting step.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |