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Title: Characterization of unextractable organic matter associated with heavy metal minerals from oil sand

Conference · · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5602142

Considerable quantities of organic matter are associated with heavy metal minerals recovered from Suncor aqueous sludge. This organic matter is not extractable with common organic solvents. Attempts were made to concentrate this organic matter by dissolving the mineral matter in acids. Various soluble fractions were also obtained by extraction with methanol/benzene (1:4) after each dissolution step. All these fractions were analyzed by elemental analysis, infrared, proton and /sup 13/C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These results are discussed in terms of the nature of the organic material associated with heavy metal minerals. The NMR and IR results are indicative of the presence of such functional groups as carboxylic acids, phenolics, hydroxyls, quinones, ketones, ethers and esters. The possibility of chemical and hydrogen bonding an physi-sorption interactions between heavy metal minerals and hydrocarbon functionalities is discussed. These results suggest that this organic matter is mostly humic material and that it is different from bitumen and bitumen components. Comparison of the /sup 13/C NMR spectra of the humic acids extracted from the heavy metal minerals fraction from oil sand tailings and various coal samples suggest that this material is of maturity comparable to that of subbituminous coal. However, the possibility of considerable alteration of this material cannot be ruled out, as it has been through the hot water process and stored in the tailings pond.

Research Organization:
Div. of Chemistry, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OR9
OSTI ID:
5602142
Report Number(s):
CONF-860425-
Journal Information:
Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Vol. 31:2; Conference: 191. American Chemical Society national meeting, New York, NY, USA, 13 Apr 1986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English