Patent · US Expired

Ambient froth flotation process for the recovery of bitumen from tar sand

US4425227A · kind A · utility

87Cited by
16References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 5, 1981
Grant dateJan 10, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 5, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB03D2203/006
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for upgrading the bitumen content of tar sands, wherein a raw tar sand slurry admixture of tar sands, water, collectors, and dispersing/wetting agents is milled; conditioned and then separated by a series of froth flotations at ambient temperatures from about 2.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C. to recover a concentrated bitumen tar sand product which may be processed by conventional means to recover oil from the bitumen. Enhanced recovery of bitumen may be accomplished by moderate heating in one or more of the flotation zones to about 50.degree. C. The method permits recovery and recycle of various components used in processing of the tar sand.

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