Process and system for recovery of asphaltene by-product in paraffinic froth treatment operations
US8709237B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G53/16
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for treating bitumen froth with paraffinic solvent is provided which uses three stages of separation. Froth and a first solvent are directed to a first stage at a solvent/bitumen ratio for precipitating few or substantially no asphaltenes. A first stage underflow is directed to a second stage and a first stage overflow is directed to a third stage. A second stage underflow is directed to waste tailings and the second stage overflow joins the first stage overflow. A third stage underflow is recovered as an asphaltene by-product and a third stage overflow is recovered as a diluted bitumen product. At least a second solvent is added to one or both of the second or third stages for controlling a fraction of asphaltenes in the third stage underflow. Asphaltene loss to waste tailings is minimized and asphaltenes are now recovered as asphaltene by-product.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.