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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Restoration of light hydrocarbon gases to tar sand

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5823897
Bitumen is recovered from bituminous sand by forming a slurry of bituminous sand and water in a gaseous hydrocarbon atmosphere. The aqueous slurry, which contains entrained and dissolved gaseous hydrocarbons, is then introduced into a body of hot water so that bitumen rises to the top in the form of a bituminous emulsion while sand settles to the bottom. The gaseous hydrocarbon atmosphere is preferably maintained throughout the process, and between about 0.05 and about 5% by wt hydrocarbon gas, based upon bitumen content of the slurry, is preferably contained in the slurry. (7 claims)
Assignee:
Cities Serv Athabasca Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 3574086
OSTI ID:
5823897
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English