Multivalent ionic liquids as process aids for bitumen extraction
AssigneeSterling Specialty Chemicals Holding UK Limited
InventorsSung Hyun JANG, Louis ROSATI, Luciana BAVA
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improving froth quality and bitumen recovery during bitumen extraction. In particular, the disclosure provides a method for using multivalent ionic liquids and binary process aid combinations comprising tricholine citrate for improving bitumen extraction efficiency and reducing water and mineral solids in bitumen froth.
Claims15
A method for extracting bitumen from oil sands ore to produce a bitumen froth, the method comprising:
- (a) providing or producing an oil sands ore;
- (b) contacting the oil sands ore with an aqueous diluent;
- (c) contacting the oil sands ore with a process aid, which process aid optionally comprises one or more ionic liquids comprising a cationic component comprising choline or N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA) and an anionic component comprising succinate, citrate, glutamate, or benzoate;
- one or more dispersants;
- one or more surfactants;
- one or more demulsifiers;
- one or more celluloses;
- one or more polysaccharides;
- or any combination thereof;
- and
- (d) mixing to produce an oil sands slurry;
- wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed before, during, or after step (d), and
- wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed simultaneously or sequentially in any order.
A method for extracting bitumen from oil sands ore to produce a bitumen froth, the method comprising:
- (a) providing or producing an oil sands ore;
- (b) contacting the oil sands ore with an aqueous diluent;
- (c) contacting the oil sands ore with a process aid, wherein said process aid comprises tricholine citrate;
- and
- (d) mixing the oil sands ore to produce an oil sands slurry;
- wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed before, during, or after step (d),
- and wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed simultaneously or sequentially in any order.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.