WO2009114934A1 - Récupération de bitume à partir de sables bitumineux par sonication - Google Patents

Récupération de bitume à partir de sables bitumineux par sonication Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009114934A1
WO2009114934A1 PCT/CA2009/000316 CA2009000316W WO2009114934A1 WO 2009114934 A1 WO2009114934 A1 WO 2009114934A1 CA 2009000316 W CA2009000316 W CA 2009000316W WO 2009114934 A1 WO2009114934 A1 WO 2009114934A1
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Prior art keywords
bitumen
sonic energy
slurry
sonic
separator
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PCT/CA2009/000316
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English (en)
Inventor
James Hill
Michael Kiktavy
Scott John Fryer
Dean Wallace
Original Assignee
Shell Canada Energy, A General Partnership Formed Under The Laws Of The Province Of Alberta
Chevron Canada Limited
Marathon Oil Sands L.P.
Sonic Technology Solutions Inc.
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Application filed by Shell Canada Energy, A General Partnership Formed Under The Laws Of The Province Of Alberta, Chevron Canada Limited, Marathon Oil Sands L.P., Sonic Technology Solutions Inc. filed Critical Shell Canada Energy, A General Partnership Formed Under The Laws Of The Province Of Alberta
Priority to CA2713584A priority Critical patent/CA2713584C/fr
Publication of WO2009114934A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009114934A1/fr

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
    • B03B9/00—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets
    • B03B9/02—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for oil-sand, oil-chalk, oil-shales, ozokerite, bitumen, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/02—Froth-flotation processes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10G—CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
    • C10G1/00—Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil-shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal
    • C10G1/04—Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil-shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by extraction
    • C10G1/047—Hot water or cold water extraction processes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a process for the separation of bitumen from oil sands using sonication.
  • Bitumen is generally extracted from oil sands by hot water based extraction processes. In these processes, aggressive thermal and mechanical action is usually needed to liberate and separate the bitumen from the oil sands.
  • Water-based extraction processes generally involve the following steps:
  • the middlings stream is a dilute suspension of water that contains mineral matter that has not settled to the bottom of the primary separation vessel and bitumen which did not float in the primary separation.
  • the middlings are usually subjected to further flotation steps, for example, to recover additional bitumen.
  • Some oil sands (depending on, for example, the mineralogy of the original oil sand and the composition of the process water) form suspensions of high viscosity or suspensions exhibiting a high yield stress, which may inhibit bitumen flotation and therefore the recovery of bitumen.
  • clay containing bitumen-water suspensions may be sufficiently viscous or have a yield stress that impedes the flotation of aerated bitumen .
  • a method for separating bitumen froth from an oil sand comprising applying sonic energy to a bitumen-water slurry.
  • a method for separating bitumen froth from an oil sand comprising adding water to an oil sand feed to form a slurry; conditioning the slurry; feeding the slurry to a separator; applying sonic energy to the slurry; and allowing the slurry to be separated into a bitumen froth and one or more heavier fractions.
  • Figure 1 is a flow scheme of a bitumen extraction process according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective drawing showing a manifold vertical array configuration of a sonic energy generating device according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a top view of a manifold vertical array configuration of a sonic energy generating device according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic drawing showing the configuration and placement of slurry samples relative to a sonic generator .
  • Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of a test set-up to assess the effect of sonic energy on the viscosity of a laponite suspension .
  • Figure 6 is a graph showing a comparison of primary bitumen recovery when sonic energy is applied as compared with when no sonic energy is applied to ten oil sands samples.
  • Figure 7 is a graph showing a comparison of primary and secondary bitumen recovery when sonic energy is applied as compared with when no sonic energy is applied to ten oil sands samples.
  • Figure 8 is a graph showing a comparison of total bitumen recovery when sonic energy is applied as compared with when no sonic energy is applied to ten oil sands samples.
  • the concentration of fine solids, the mineralogy of the fine solids, the nature of the interaction between those fine solids to form either dispersed or coagulated suspensions of varying viscosity and the shear experienced by the suspension all influence the yield stress and/or viscosity of the suspension.
  • U 2 is the rise or sedimentation velocity, as the case may be, for a particle of radius r 2 and of density p 2 through a medium of density p x and of viscosity ⁇ i.
  • the term, g is the acceleration due to gravity.
  • bitumen flotation because the density of the aerated bitumen, p 2 , is less than the density of the middlings, pi, the value of u 2 is positive, which corresponds to an upward movement or flotation of the aerated bitumen droplets .
  • the viscosity of the middlings phase The concentration of solids in the middlings and the interactions among the fine particle fraction affects the viscosity of the middlings phase.
  • the rise velocity for any aerated bitumen droplet should increase proportionately and the likelihood of that aerated bitumen droplet reaching the surface of the separation vessel should also increase.
  • the timing at which shear is applied to the oil sand suspension can play a role. Viscosity reduction by application of shear prior to the oil sand slurry being fed into a process unit may not be effective because the viscosity of the slurry increases almost instantaneously when shear is removed. Further, and in an example where the process unit is a separation vessel, the use of a mixer within the separation vessel may increase the shear, and thereby reduce the viscosity of the middlings; however, the large-scale mixing regime that might result from a mixer may interfere with the flotation of the bitumen in a commercial separation cell.
  • Sonic treatment involves the act of applying sonic energy to agitate particles in a sample.
  • the effects of sonic waves are believed to differ from other forms of agitation such as mechanical agitation.
  • Mechanical agitation for example, by use of a conventional mixer or even by the discharge of the suspension from a pipe into a vessel, is generally much more vigorous and may result in a more drastic disruption of the flow patterns within a separation vessel.
  • Devices used to introduce sonic energy into a bitumen suspension are not particularly limited. These generally include sonic generating devices, examples of which are sonic generators such as sonic probes or vibrating discs, for example.
  • sonic generators such as sonic probes or vibrating discs
  • the acoustic frequency sonicator described in U.S. Patent No. 4,941,134 or U.S. Patent No. 5,005,773 may be used, for example.
  • a person skilled in the art would be able to determine a suitable type of sonic generating device to be used, based on factors such as the type of separator, and the amplitude and frequency of agitation desired. These factors depend in turn on the nature of the oil sand, which is quite variable.
  • a sonic generating device may be used in a bitumen extraction process, such as for example, a water-based extraction process.
  • FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention used within a conventional bitumen extraction process.
  • oil sand feed (10) from a mining operation may be fed to a crusher (30) via a truck (20) or similar device at an input end of the oil sands separation process.
  • the crusher (30) the oil sand lumps are reduced in size for material handling purposes and to allow for more rapid breakdown in the subsequent extraction process.
  • the ore (38) may be conveyed via one or more conveyor belts (35).
  • the discharge (50) from the conveyor belts (35) may be the inlet feed to a rotary breaker (60) or other device where water may be first added to the oil sand feed.
  • the breaker (60) mixes the oil sands with a hot water stream (70) to produce a slurry mixture which passes through the openings in the walls of the breaker (60) or which may be transported from the breaker (60) into a pump box (100).
  • Rejects (80) from the breaker (60) such as the components of the oil sand feed (e.g. rocks, shale and hard lumps of oil sand) that are not sufficiently reduced in size in the breaker (60) to be fed into pipeline (90), may be removed.
  • Chemical processing aids (95) may be added, for example, to the breaker (60), to the pump box (100), or to pipeline (90).
  • Chemical processing aids may also be added to separation vessel (140), to flotation cells (180, 240), or to other parts of the process as would be understood by a person skilled in the art.
  • Separation vessel (140) may be a separator, for example, while separation vessels (180, 240) may be flotation cells, for example.
  • the slurry mixture from the pump box (100) may be fed to a pipeline (90) for simultaneous conditioning and transport to an array of bitumen separation vessels including vessels (140, 240) and (180) .
  • Pump (85) may provide the energy that transports the slurry to the separation vessels (140, 180, 240).
  • the conditioned slurry (110) that is formed within the pipeline (90) may pass through pump (115) and is the inlet stream to a primary separation vessel, which may be, for example, a separator (140) .
  • a primary separation vessel which may be, for example, a separator (140) .
  • the types of separators that may be used at this stage would be known to a person skilled in the art. For example, conical shaped separation vessels or tanks and troughs of various configurations and dimensions can be used.
  • a bitumen froth (250) overflows the top of the separator into a collection device such as a launder (not shown) .
  • the bitumen froth (250) may be subjected to further processing steps, such as de-aeration in a steam de-aerator (260) and then may be sent via a pump (270) into a bitumen froth storage unit (280) .
  • the separator (140) a large portion of the coarse solids can be separated from the bitumen and water mixture in the form of a concentrated slurry of solids in water. Some bitumen may remain in this concentrated slurry.
  • the concentrated slurry may be removed through the bottom outlet (150) of the separator (140) and may be separated by a screen (160) into oversize particles (170), and to smaller particles (175), which may be sent to bitumen flotation cells (180) for additional bitumen recovery.
  • the bitumen froth output (190) from the flotation cells (180) may be recycled into the conditioned slurry inlet stream (110) of the separator (140).
  • the bitumen froth (250) may be pumped directly to the steam de-aerator (260) .
  • the bottom discharge (200) from the flotation cells (180), may be sent via one or more treatment units (210) to an external tailings facility (230) or other facility for treatment and reclamation of tailings.
  • the output (215) from treatment unit (210) may be sent to a device for water recycling (300) which produces recycled water (305) and output (310) which may be sent to the tailings facility (230).
  • a middlings phase (225) from the separator (140) that comprises bitumen which did not float in the separator (140) and mineral particles which did not sink in the separator (140) may be subjected to further flotation of the bitumen in one or more flotation cells (240) .
  • the flotation cells may be conventional flotation cells that are known to people skilled in the art or modifications thereof that allow for recovery of a bitumen froth.
  • the bitumen froth output (246) from the flotation cells (240) may be recycled into the inlet stream (110) of the separator (140) . All or part of the bitumen froth (246) may be pumped directly to the steam de-aerator (260) .
  • the bottom discharge (245) containing water, mineral solids and unrecovered bitumen from the flotation cells (240) may be pumped into the bottom of the separator or otherwise combined with the stream from the bottom outlet (150) of the separator (140) .
  • sonic energy may be applied to the contents of the separator (140), or potentially at other stages in the extraction process including the conditioning pipeline (90).
  • the sonic energy may be supplied via a sonic energy generating device (285), such as, for example a sonicator, located for example within or on the side of the separator (140), although addition of sonic energy at other locations within the process may be possible, provided that the device is able to transmit sonic energy into the contents of the separator.
  • a sonic energy generating device such as, for example a sonicator, located for example within or on the side of the separator (140), although addition of sonic energy at other locations within the process may be possible, provided that the device is able to transmit sonic energy into the contents of the separator.
  • one or more sonic energy generating devices may be directly in the separator where the device would cause the contents of the separator (e.g. the bitumen-water slurry) to vibrate.
  • the sonic energy generating device may be placed on the outside of the separator, and the sonic energy may be transmitted to the contents of the separator through the wall of the separator.
  • Sonic energy generating devices may also be present in or on one or more flotation cells (180, 240), or at other points within the extraction process .
  • the sonic energy generating device includes electronic components.
  • the electronic components of the device would ordinarily be located outside of the separator, while the portions of the device that transmit the sonic energy into the suspension may be located inside the separator so as to be in contact with the slurry. It is also possible for the sonic energy generating device to be located outside of the separator and transmit sonic energy through the walls of the separator.
  • the sonic generator may be a probe sonicator having an induction panel and an electronic portion for operating the probe sonicator.
  • the electronic portion of such a device may be located outside of a separator, while the probe and induction panel are within the separator.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration of a sonic energy generating device that may be used according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the water and clay- bitumen separator (300) may have a top cylindrical portion (305) and a conical bottom portion (310) .
  • the top portion (305) may be equipped with a manifold (320), for example.
  • the manifold may have a sonic energy generating device comprising one or more sonicator prongs (330) which extend into the water-sand-clay-bitumen slurry (350).
  • the bottom portion (310) of separator (300) may have one or more sonicator devices, which may be sonicator probes, for example.
  • Sonic energy from the sonicator prongs may increase the rise velocity of the aerated bitumen, while heavier fractions may separate out and be dispensed through outlet (335) at the bottom of separator (300).
  • Figure 3 illustrates the top view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2.
  • Different configurations of sonic energy generating devices, test cells and materials were used to demonstrate that the application of sonic energy may decrease the yield stress and/or reduce the viscosity of suspensions of fine mineral matter to the extent that the rise velocity of low density particles is increased.
  • the tests were also designed to demonstrate that different configurations of sonic energy generating devices may be used to obtain the desired effect of decreased yield stress and/or viscosity reduction over a range of material compositions.
  • the tests measured the desired effect through visual observation, measurement of viscosity and measurement of the flotation recovery efficiency of bitumen from oil sands in a bitumen recovery experiment .
  • Example 1 Flotation of Light Beads in a Coagulated
  • a slurry of mineral particles having an average size of less than 10 ⁇ m and spiked with greater than 1000 mg sodium/kilogram of slurry was produced from clay samples obtained from Alberta oil sands. Sodium was added to create similar conditions to those that may exist from time to time inside separation vessels during the production process.
  • the fine mineral particles in a suspension of this water chemistry are known to coagulate, causing an increase in viscosity or yield stress, thereby inhibiting movement (i.e. flotation) of low density particles vertically through the coagulated suspension.
  • test suspension of clay particles was opaque and dark, which affected the ability to visually observe the effect of sonic energy on the flotation of the low-density particles.
  • Two features were incorporated into the design of the demonstration test to improve the ability to visually evaluate the effects of sonic energy.
  • G3500 Z-light ceramic microspheres (manufactured by 3M, also referred to as 3MTM Hollow Ceramic Microspheres G- 3500) were used to simulate floatable bitumen particles. These microspheres were of a specific gravity (700 kg/m 3 ) and size (median size of 130 ⁇ m and a d 90 of 290 ⁇ , where d 90 is the size of a screen through which 90% of the microspheres would pass) similar to those of aerated bitumen particles. Once they float to the surface of the suspension, the Z- light microspheres are more easily distinguishable from the suspension as compared to the bitumen.
  • test configuration was adaptable to permit visualization of the effect of acoustics on flotation.
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the various configurations of the test vessels relative to the sonic energy generating device that was used. Four configurations are shown.
  • the demonstration equipment consisted of a large, acrylic, clear-walled tank (400) that could be filled with either water or with the test suspension (410) .
  • the tank had dimensions of 38 inches (length) by 8 inches (width) by 35.35inches (height) (95 cm X 20 cm X 88.38 cm).
  • a prong- type of sonic generator (420) was immersed in either water or the test suspension.
  • the tank (400) was filled with approximately 170 L of the test suspension and approximately 5% microspheres by weight.
  • a single module "prong-type" sonic generator (420) was used to apply the sonic energy at a frequency in the range of 100 Hz to 500 Hz to the test suspension. While some separation/flotation of the microspheres could be visualized in this configuration, the opacity of the suspension in the tank prevented clear visualization. However, a flotation effect was observed after approximately 10 seconds.
  • the large tank (400) was filled with water.
  • a small, closed, clear-walled, test vessel (430) filled with a mixture of the test suspension and microspheres (450) was immersed in the water in the large tank (400) immediately adjacent to the sonic generator.
  • the test vessel (430) was immersed in the water in the tank (400) but was separated from the sonic generator by distances up to several inches.
  • prong-type of sonic generator was used to apply the sonic energy in a frequency range of 100 Hz to 500 Hz to the test suspension either by direct contact of the sonic generator with the walls of the test vessel (430) or by transmittal of the sonic energy through the water in the large tank (400), through the walls of the test vessel (430) and into the test suspension inside the test vessel (430) .
  • test suspension was exposed to sonic energy by the means described previously for approximately 5 seconds.
  • the microspheres floated toward the top of the test suspension during sonication, appearing at the surface within the 5-second test period.
  • test suspension was exposed to sonic energy by the means described previously. After 5 seconds, a smaller volume of microspheres was evident at the top of the test suspension than the volume observed in configuration 2. It is believed that this was due to attenuation of the sonic energy over the distance between the generator and the test vessel (430).
  • Configuration 4 represents a control, where no sonication was applied to the vessel (430) containing the test suspension and microspheres (450). In this configuration, it took several hours to see visible separation of the microspheres from the suspension.
  • Example 2 Sedimentation of Heavy Beads in a Transparent Suspension of Artificial Clays
  • a tank manufactured from LexanTM was constructed with a metal structural frame to allow visual observation of tests performed.
  • the tank was constructed to be long and narrow so as to allow testing at different distances from the sonic drive while limiting internal volume.
  • the sonic drive system was mounted on a wall of the tank with a sealing system that allowed for the fitting of various induction panel shapes and sizes.
  • the dimensions of the tank were 1 foot (height) by 1 foot (width) by 8 feet (length) (30 cm X 30 cm X 240 cm) .
  • the tank also had a movable internal wall that allowed for the creation of a tank of smaller volume inside the large tank when testing at a distance of less than 8 feet (240 cm) was not necessary.
  • the length of the tank containing water or test suspensions could be reduced from 8 feet (240 cm) to less than 1 foot (30 cm) .
  • the drive system was variable in frequency and amplitude, unlike the device in Example 1 which operated at a fixed frequency and amplitude.
  • a linear BoseTM fatigue analysis system was chosen as it can operate to a maximum amplitude of +1 mm and frequencies approaching 200 Hz.
  • the Bose system (ElectroForceTM 200N Test Branch) was linked to the tank through a hole in one end of the tank and made water tight with a seal.
  • the drive shaft from the Bose drive was fitted with a bracket so that a variety of panels that could transmit sonic energy into the suspension of interest could be attached.
  • the panels were not limited by shape or size except to be within the limits of the tank dimensions.
  • the bulk of the work was done with a flat circular panel of 10.5 cm in diameter. A larger panel having a diameter of 15 cm was used to evaluate the effect on viscosity reduction.
  • the internal wall of the tank was located to create a small tank of dimensions 1 foot (height) by 1 foot (width) by 2 feet (length) (30 cm X 30 cm X 60 cm) within the large tank.
  • a test suspension of laponite suspension having a viscosity of 170 cP at a shear rate of 5 s "1 and a viscosity of 17 cP at a shear rate of 200 s ⁇ l was added to the small tank.
  • Laponite is an artificial clay that may be used to simulate clay suspensions and to investigate the movement of low density or high density particles through the suspension.
  • Laponite suspensions have the advantages of being transparent over a wide range of concentrations, and of exhibiting a range of yield stresses and viscosities simply by altering the pH and salt concentration in the suspensions.
  • the beads were observed to drop at a velocity on the order of 1 cm/second until just above the top edge of the induction panel; at this point, the sedimentation velocity of the beads increased by a factor of approximately ten as they passed through the test suspension of laponite in front of the induction panel.
  • a second test was conducted wherein beads were placed in a line across the width of the tank at the surface of the suspension. Sonic energy was applied via the Bose generator and the pattern of beads falling was observed. Beads that were closest to the centerline of the panel were observed to fall as much as ten times faster than those at the edge of the small tank, outside the outer dimensions of the induction panel. Conversely, beads that were placed close to the tank wall fell only slightly faster than when no sonic energy was applied, and slower than centrally located beads .
  • Example 3 Direct Measurement of the Effect of Sonic Energy on the Reduction of Viscosity of a Laponite Suspension
  • a test set-up as shown in Figure 5 was used.
  • a straddle (520) was constructed to suspend a viscometer (500) over the top of the test tank (510) .
  • the rotational measurement cylinder or "bob" of the viscometer (530) was then lowered into the suspension (505) while isolating the viscometer from vibration.
  • a Bose sonic generator (540) comprising an induction panel (550) was used to provide sonic energy to the suspension as shown by double-headed arrow (560).
  • the Bose sonic generator used was the same sonic generator as in Example 2.
  • a potential artifact that may interfere with the measurement of viscosity reduction is the transmission of sonic energy up the bob shaft to the sensor head. If this phenomenon exists, an apparent change in viscosity in response to application of sonic energy might be recorded by the instrument even though the viscosity of the test suspension was not affected by the sonic energy.
  • a Newtonian fluid is one in which viscosity is independent of shear in contrast to a non- Newtonian fluid (such as a laponite suspension) where viscosity is a function of shear.
  • the sonic energy applied to a test suspension can be characterized by frequency and amplitude. Both frequency and amplitude can be increased by increasing the voltage of the Bose sonic generator up to operational limits of amplitude and frequency for the generator.
  • An initial attempt to optimize induction frequency was carried out by step-wise frequency change and setting the voltage to just below the auto shutdown point of the Bose system. For the specific design of the Bose system used in this experiment, a frequency of 27 Hz was determined to be the optimum frequency for reduction of viscosity of the laponite suspension. A frequency of this order also was subsequently confirmed for a test suspension of coagulated fine mineral matter isolated from Athabasca oil sand. Notwithstanding these measurements, other optimum combinations of frequency and amplitude as defined by required voltage to operate the sonic equipment may exist for other physical designs of sonic generation equipment.
  • Example 4 Direct Measurement of Enhanced Recovery of Bitumen from Oil Sand Using a Sonic-Assisted Water Based Extraction Process
  • a batch flotation cell for the determination of the recovery of bitumen from oil sand was constructed.
  • the design of the cell followed that described by Bulmer, J. T. and Starr, J. in "Lab Scale Hot Water Extraction of Oil Sand", Syncrude Analytical Methods for Oil Sand and Bitumen Processing, Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority, Edmonton, Alberta, 1979.
  • the batch flotation cell described in Bulmer and Starr was a double walled cube-shaped cell constructed of steel with an internal dimension of 89 mm (height) x 89 mm (width) x 200 mm (length) .
  • the double wall served to allow fluids to be circulated through the wall to control the temperature of the contents of the cell during the extraction test.
  • a single-walled cell of the same dimensions was constructed with a square metal base of 89 mm dimensions and metal posts approximately 200 mm long at each corner.
  • the walls were constructed of polyethylene to allow the sonic waves to more readily penetrate the contents of the cell.
  • the internal wall of the tank was located to create a small tank of dimensions 1 foot (height) by 1 foot (width) by 2 feet (length) (30 cm X 30 cm X 60 cm) within the large tank.
  • a platform was attached to the bottom of the small tank to allow attachment of the batch flotation cell.
  • the small tank was filled with water and a laboratory circulator/heater was used to control the temperature of the water to 50 0 C. Given the design of the platform, the batch flotation cell was immersed to a depth of approximately 190 mm in the small tank.
  • test cell was filled with a clay dispersion.
  • the vibrating disc was turned on and the polyethylene panels started to vibrate, the viscosity as measured by the rotating bob viscometer decreased.
  • Bitumen recovery experiments were carried out on ten oil sand samples that had been selected from various locations in the Shell Albian Muskeg River Mine. The experiments generally followed the standard procedure described by Bulmer and Starr which describes a laboratory method for measuring the amount of bitumen that can be recovered from oil sand in a water-based extraction process. In the present experiment, the test was conducted with water in the small tank at a temperature of 55°C (rather than at 82°C that is specified in the Bulmer and Starr method) . The lower temperature more closely approximates current operating temperatures in commercial extraction circuits.
  • the proportion of bitumen in the test sample of oil sand that was recovered in the primary froth and the secondary froth is referred to as the "primary plus secondary recovery”.
  • the method of collecting the secondary froth was subsequently repeated to produce a tertiary froth.
  • the proportion of bitumen in the test sample of oil sand that was recovered in the primary, secondary and tertiary froth is referred to in this example as the "total recovery" .
  • Figure 6 shows that in four cases, the primary recovery was statistically significantly higher with addition of sonic energy than without.
  • Figure 7 shows that in two cases, the primary plus secondary recovery was statistically significantly higher with sonic energy than without.
  • Figure 8 shows that in four cases, the total recovery was statistically significantly higher with sonic energy than without. In no case was recovery without sonic energy statistically significantly better than with sonic energy (at the 95% level of confidence) .

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Abstract

La présente invention porte sur un procédé de séparation de bitume à partir de sable bitumineux à l'aide d'énergie sonique. En particulier, l'invention porte sur un procédé de récupération de bitume à partir d'un procédé d'extraction de sable bitumineux par sonication d'une bouillie de bitume-eau de façon à ce que la viscosité de la bouillie soit réduite. La sonication peut être appliquée à une bouillie dans un séparateur, ce qui résulte en une séparation accrue du bitume à partir de la fraction de matières solides.
PCT/CA2009/000316 2008-03-17 2009-03-16 Récupération de bitume à partir de sables bitumineux par sonication WO2009114934A1 (fr)

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US3723008P 2008-03-17 2008-03-17
US61/037,230 2008-03-17

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