Process for recovering oil from tar sands
US5320746A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G1/002
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for recovering oil from tar sands by subjecting the tar sands to aqueous extraction to produce a bitumen-rich layer containing bitumen, water and solids and a bitumen-lean layer containing relatively less bitumen and relatively more water and solids. The solids present in the bitumen-lean layer contain a substantial portion of finely divided clay having adhered organic matter. The clay solids are retained with the bitumen from the bitumen-lean layer and the bitumen-clay mixture is pyrolyzed. Pyrolysis of the bitumen-lean layer containing clay having adhered organic matter reduces the volume of aqueous tailings which would otherwise be produced and also results in increased hydrocarbon yields.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.