Methods for removing bitumen from tar sands
AssigneePetroleum Processing Systems, LLC
InventorsDonald G. Wilson, John H. Diesel, Noah L. Boyd, Todd Ennenga, Joe W. Blagg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are provided for removing bitumen from tar sands. One method may include contacting the tar sands with a hydrocarbon. The method may also include contacting the tar sands including the hydrocarbon with a water soluble silicate. The method may further include separating the tar sands into a liquid portion and a solid portion, the liquid portion including the water soluble silicate and the bitumen. The method may also include separating the water soluble silicate from the bitumen.
Claims20
A method for removing bitumen from tar sands, comprising:
- contacting the tar sands with a hydrocarbon;
- contacting the tar sands including the hydrocarbon with a water soluble silicate;
- separating the tar sands into a liquid portion and a solid portion, the liquid portion including the water soluble silicate and the bitumen;
- and
- separating the water soluble silicate from the bitumen.
A method for removing bitumen from tar sands, comprising:
- crushing the tar sands in a crusher to form a crushed tar sand;
- contacting the crushed tar sand with a hydrocarbon to form a first mixture;
- contacting the first mixture with a water soluble silicate at ambient temperature to form a second mixture;
- separating the second mixture into a first liquid portion, a second liquid portion, and a solid portion;
- and
- contacting the first mixture with the first liquid portion.
A method for removing bitumen from tar sands, comprising:
- crushing the tar sands in a crusher to form a crushed tar sand;
- conveying the crushed tar sand to a first mixer;
- contacting the crushed tar sand with a hydrocarbon in the first mixer to form a first mixture;
- conveying the first mixture to a second mixer;
- contacting the first mixture with a water soluble silicate at ambient temperature in the second mixer to form a second mixture;
- separating the second mixture into a first liquid portion, a second liquid portion, and a solid portion;
- and
- feeding the first liquid portion to the second mixer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.