Bitumen solidification and prilling
AssigneeCenovus Energy Inc.
InventorsSubodh GUPTA, Michael N. HOLMES, Eric A. MACDONALD, Jennifer D. WOOD
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, processes, and apparatuses for preparing and transporting bitumen. Bitumen may be prilled such that a bitumen product comprising a prill core and a non-stick coating is produced. The non-stick coating may comprise asphaltenes and the prill core may comprise bitumen, deasphalted oil, or both bitumen and deasphalted oil. The resultant non-stick coated prills have reduced adhesion to transportation vessels and other non-stick coated prills at a temperature below an adhesion temperature, facilitating transport.
Claims5
An apparatus for preparing a non-stick coated prill, the apparatus comprising:
- a prilling vessel having an upper section and a lower section;
- a first inlet for inputting bitumen, deasphalted oil, or a combination thereof, in the upper section of the prilling vessel and forming a prill core;
- a second inlet for inputting a carrier gas to the lower section of the prilling vessel for cooling the prill core;
- a first outlet for discharging the carrier gas from the upper section of the prilling vessel;
- a third inlet for inputting a non-stick coating material for coating the prill core;
- and
- a second outlet for outputting the non-stick coated prill.
The apparatus according to 1, wherein the non-stick coating material comprises asphaltenes as a powder, as a liquid which subsequently solidifies, as a solvent-diluted asphaltenes solution which subsequently solidifies, or a combination thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.