US 11,713,420 B2 · System and method for extracting liquid and solid hydrocarbons and their derivatives

Abstract

A system and method for extracting liquid and solid hydrocarbons and their derivatives from natural and man-made hydrocarbon sources, including but not limited to oil sands, bitumen, asphalt, roofing shingles, and other hydrocarbon articles of manufacture. The hydrocarbon sources are prepared by dissolving, crushing and/or grinding. The prepared hydrocarbon sources are subjected to agitation where the solvent and hydrocarbon source as thoroughly mixed. The results of the agitation are then separated in one or both of a mesh screen shaker and a centrifuge. The mesh screen shaker subjects the materials to medium frequency oscillations. The centrifuge subjects the materials to high G-forces. The combined processes separate the hydrocarbons from solids and residual solids to less than 0.2% by weight.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A process for extracting raw hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing material, comprising the steps of:

preparing the hydrocarbon containing material to create a prepared hydrocarbon ore;
adding a hydrocarbon solvent to the prepared hydrocarbon ore to create a hydrocarbon slurry;
agitating the hydrocarbon slurry in an extraction tank;
transferring the hydrocarbon slurry from the extraction tank to a mechanical separator;
and
mechanically separating raw hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon slurry comprising shaking the hydrocarbon slurry in a screen mesh shaker to produce a first extractant product, wherein the screen mesh shaker comprises an angle adjuster on a frame and the angle adjuster pivots the frame between fifteen degrees below and fifteen degrees above a horizontal plane.

3 more elements

A system for extracting raw hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing material, comprising:

an agitating device having an extraction tank for mixing the hydrocarbon containing material with a solvent and producing a hydrocarbon slurry;
a first separating device in fluid communication with an outlet on the agitating device for receiving the hydrocarbon slurry and producing a first hydrocarbon extractant said first separating device comprising, a shaking device having a screen mesh basket in fluid communication with the outlet on the agitating device, the shaking device having a vibrating motor for vibrating a screen mesh bed;
said shaking device further comprising:
a frame defining a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, wherein the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis are orthogonal to each other;
wherein the screen mesh basket is adapted for engagement with the frame and to receive the hydrocarbon slurry from the agitating device;
wherein the screen mesh basket is adapted for disengagement from the frame to periodically remove solids therefrom;
wherein the vibrating motor is engaged with the frame for vibrating the frame and the screen mesh basket along the longitudinal axis of the frame;
an angle adjustment motor for orienting the frame with the screen mesh basket, at a predetermined inclination angle (ϕ) measured around the lateral axis relative to the longitudinal axis;
a second separating device in fluid communication with an outlet on the first separating device for receiving the first hydrocarbon extractant and producing a second hydrocarbon extractant;
and
a hydrocarbon recovery tank in fluid communication with an outlet on the second separating device for receiving the second hydrocarbon extractant.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for extracting liquid and solid hydrocarbons and their derivatives

Life of this patent

System and method for extracting liquid and solid hydrocarbons and their derivatives

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18