Hydrocarbon extraction

Patent · Tue Jun 12 00:00:00 EDT 1973

OSTI ID:6974195

Terry, R C; Lane, R E

Continuous extraction of hydrocarbons from asphaltic or bituminous materials, such as tar sands, within a pressurized vessel at elevated temperatures, is described. Hydrocarbon-bearing materials are introduced as a slurry into a centrifugal separator where the material is substantially concentrated. The concentrated material (separator underflow) discharges into a vessel containing hot water at a temperature in a controllable range of about 200/sup 0/F to about 300/sup 0/F. The difficulty of obtaining the 200/sup 0/F temperature at atmospheric conditions, because of the blending with cold materials, results in the temperature range of above 212/sup 0/F to about 300/sup 0/F under pressure conditions for the hot water being preferable. This temperature is controlled by direct steam injection into the vessel in such a fashion that it also aids in agitating the influent materials. As the material passes through the hot water zone, the hydrocarbons are freed from the gangue material and float to the surface of the water. Brine may be used in the slurry to aid in floating the hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are removed through a float-controlled automatic valve at some upper level. (6 claims)

• Assignee: Allied Chemical Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 3738929
• OSTI ID: 6974195
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 26 Mar 1971; Other Information: PAT-APPL-128,421
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
BITUMENS
HEATING
THERMAL RECOVERY
EXTRACTION
HYDROCARBONS
OIL SANDS
PRESSURE VESSELS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CONTAINERS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TAR
040402* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Surface Methods