Mechanically resilient bitumen microcapsules for midstream transport
US11820945B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G2300/4075
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods of preparing bitumen for transport, apparatus for preparing bitumen for transport, methods of transporting bitumen, and transportation-ready forms of bitumen. Instead of relying on exogenous components to induce bitumen solidification, the methods and apparatus of the present disclosure reorganize bituminous materials derived from the same origin into core-shell bitumen microcapsules, such that relatively low solubility components (e.g. asphaltenes) encapsulate relatively high solubility components (e.g. maltenes). Importantly, the bitumen microcapsules of the present disclosure are sufficiently mechanically resilient to meet one or more thresholds for midstream transportation, and they are readily fluidized for downstream processing with conventional technologies. Taken together, these aspects may ameliorate one or more challenges in achieving commercially viable bitumen solidification technologies.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.