Method of reducing moisture and solid content of bitumen extracted from tar sand minerals
US6019888A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G33/04
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Tar sand is upgraded to produce a hydrocarbon having a low concentration of water and solids by contacting a bitumen/diluent mix with an alkoxyalkylphenol alkoxylate surfactant prior to separation of a recoverable hydrocarbon phase. The separation of the bitumen/diluent mix into a recoverable hydrocarbon phase and a water/solid phase results in a recoverable hydrocarbon phase that meets the concentration of water and solids desired by tar sand processors. A further refinement of the method involves contacting the bitumen/diluent mix with an anionic and cationic flocculant following the surfactant for further improvement in separation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.