Mixer circuit for oil sand
US5039227A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1989 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01F25/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The mixer circuit comprises a vertically oriented, open-topped mixer vessel having a cylindrical side wall terminating with a shallow conical bottom. The bottom wall forms a central bottom outlet. Recycled slurry and fresh water streams are fed tangentially to the inner surface of the vessel, thereby forming a vortex. The oil sand enters as a continuous, free-flowing stream moving along a downward trajectory; the stream impinges the vortex, wherein it is dispersed and mixed to create slurry. The slurry exits through the bottom outlet, is screened to remove oversize material, and enters a holding vessel. Part of the slurry in the holding vessel is recycled to the mixer vessel through a pipe loop incorporating a pump. The slurry is energized by the pump and functions to maintain and partly create the rapidly moving vortex that carries out the mixing and lump-disintegration actions. The balance of the slurry in the holding vessel is pumped out as product. The circuit is adapted to consistently produce a dense slurry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.