Methods for enhancing efficiency of bitumen extraction from oil sands using lipids and lipid by-products as process additives
US9341051B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E50/10
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In a method for enhancing the efficiency of separation of bitumen from oil sands ore, lipids, lipid by-products, and lipid derivatives are used as process additives for ore-water slurry-based bitumen extraction processes or in situ bitumen recovery processes. These additives act as surfactants reducing surface and interfacial tensions, thus promoting breakdown the oil sands ore structure and resultant liberation of bitumen from the ore. Lipid treatment does not deleteriously affect release water chemistry in bitumen recovery processes, and it does not appreciably affect the fuel value of recovered bitumen. Lipids which may be effectively used as additives include biodiesel, tall oil fatty acids, monoglycerides, vegetable oil, and soap water, and combinations thereof. Lipids may also be used as process additives to enhance the efficiency of clean-up of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, in the production of bitumen-water or oil-water emulsions, and to enhance the transportability of emulsions such as in pipelines.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.