Method of removing bitumen from tar sand utilizing ultrasonic energy and stirring

Patent · Tue Oct 18 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:5362273

Hart, Jr, L I; Schmidt-Collerus, J J; Burroughs, L R

A method is given for removing bitumen from tar sand for subsequent recovery of the bitumen. The method comprises contacting tar sand with an excess of solvent in which the bitumen is soluble, said contacting being performed within a vessel wherein simultaneously the solvent is being stirred and ultrasonic energy is being applied, the ultrasonic energy being of an intensity sufficient to break apart any connections between sand granules and to remove bitumen from the sand granules to thereby permit the bitumen so removed to go into solution in the solvent for subsequent removal of the solvent-plus-bitumen and recovery of the bitumen therefrom. Stirring within the vessel reduces residence time required for removal of the bitumen from the tar sand by constantly changing that portion of the solvent directly in contact with the surface of the tar sand to thereby cause even loading of all of the solvent with the bitumen. The vessel utilized can be a column through which the tar sand falls as ultrasonic energy is applied and stirring occurs therein. 5 claims.

• Assignee: Western Oil Sands Ltd.
• Patent Number(s): US 4054506
• OSTI ID: 5362273
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040402* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Surface Methods
BITUMENS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXTRACTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MIXING
OIL SANDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SOLVENTS
SOUND WAVES
TAR
ULTRASONIC WAVES