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

Adjustment of pH in the filtration of tar sand solvent water systems

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5963594
Large deposits of bituminous containing sand are found in various locations. Some are relatively soft and free flowing while others are very hard or rock-like. The tar content of these sands may vary over a wide range and presents an attractive source of supply of crude petroleum. In the solvent extraction of tar from tar sands by slurrying, the tar sands in a hydrocarbon solvent and a minor amount of water and then filtering the fat solvent from the tar-depleted sand, the filtration rate of fat solvent through the tar sand bed is greatly accelerated by adjusting the pH of the aqueous phase in contact with the tar sands by the addition of a base. (7 claims)
Assignee:
TUL; EDB-82-018923
Patent Number(s):
US 3542666
OSTI ID:
5963594
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English