Process for recovering solvent from spent oil sand solids
US8552244B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G1/04
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for recovering solvent from spent oil sands solids is provided, comprising drying the solids using superheated steam to vaporize solvent and water; compressing and condensing the vapors in a first heat exchanger (hot side) to produce condensates, comprising primarily condensed hot water, and uncondensed vapors; separating condensed hot water and solvent from the uncondensed vapors in a first separator; flowing the hot water through the first heat exchanger (cold side) to produce near-saturated steam; and superheating the near-saturated steam in a second heat exchanger to produce the superheated steam for drying the solids. Uncondensed vapors from the first separator can be further condensed in a third heat exchanger to produce warm water, recovered solvent and uncondensed off gas, which can be separated in a second separator. Some of the warm water is combined with the hot water to produce the near-saturated steam for superheating. The off gas is oil scrubbed or combusted prior to release to the atmosphere.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.