In situ primary froth quality measurements using microwave monitor
US5376276A · kind A · utility
Assignees
- Alterra Energy, LLC
- Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd.
- Esso Resources Canada Limited
- Gulf Canada Resources Limited
- Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
- HBOG-Oil Sands Limited
- Pan Canadian Petroleum Limited
- PETRO-CANADA
- Mocal Energy Limited
- Murphy Oil Company Ltd.
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G1/008
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Aerated bitumen froth containing bitumen, water, air and solids is the product of the hot water extraction process for recovering bitumen from oil sand. Measurements related to the water content of the froth can be obtained by measuring its resonant frequency in a calibrated output, open-ended microwave cavity. By also measuring the bulk density of the froth and assuming a constant relationship for the solids content, one can compute from the assembled data the output quality of the froth. The measurements can be taken repetitively at the vessel as the froth is produced and used to almost instantly provide froth quality information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.