Patent · US Expired

Method and appratus for extracting tar sand

US4416764A · kind A · utility

28Cited by

14References

11Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Natomas Energy Company · US

Inventors

Benjamin J. Gikis · Los Altos Hills, US
Abner Y. Jones · Menlo Park, US
Rudolf Elbrecht · Los Altos, US

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 28, 1980
Grant date	Nov 22, 1983
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 28, 2000

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB03B9/02
WIPO fieldChemical engineering
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Method and apparatus for separating coarse sand particles from fine sand particles in a slurry of sand and a solution such as results from the solvent extraction of tar sand, such method comprising causing flow of such slurry in a generally horizontal direction and then causing upward flow at a rate such that coarse particles settle out and fine particles move upwardly to a slurry outlet. The apparatus preferably comprises a tubular duct for downward flow, bottom openings in the duct for outward flow, a lower receptacle for coarse particles and an annular space surrounding the duct for upward flow of slurry of solution and fine sand particles.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.