Methods and apparatus for treating bitumen mixtures
US12006474B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF17D1/16
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system at an operating temperature of from 170 C to 232 C to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.