Open surface flotation method for extracted crude oil

Patent · Tue Sep 06 00:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5716345

Bass, D M; Wang, F

A method is disclosed for the separation of extracted viscous crude oil placed in a reservoir of an opened cell. Materials such as oil shale, oil sand, or tar sand may be involved. Hot water is introduced to the top surface of the reservoir material in the cell while steam is injected into a steam gallery running through the cell. The hot water and steam may contain a surfactant. The bouyancy of the crude oil creates an artificial water drive which causes the water and oil to ''flip-flop'' so that the oil rises to the top of the reservoir and separates from the remainder of the reservoir material. This separated oil may be removed from the cell and the remaining material disposed of.

• Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
• Patent Number(s): US 4402552
• OSTI ID: 5716345
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 29 May 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-268592
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
02 PETROLEUM
OIL SANDS
HOT-WATER PROCESSES
STEAM INJECTION
OIL SHALES
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
FLOTATION
BITUMENS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EXTRACTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SHALE OIL
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID INJECTION
FLUID INJECTION PROCESSES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
MINERAL OILS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
TAR
THERMAL RECOVERY
WELLS
040402* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Surface Methods
020300 - Petroleum- Drilling & Production