Patents Assigned to SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of
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Patent number: 9694993Abstract: A process for operating a settling slurry transportation pipeline is provided, comprising: determining the deposition velocity for a particular slurry being transported through the pipeline; and operating the pipeline at an operating velocity at or near the deposition velocity to form a stationary or near stationary bed of solids that will still allow the slurry to freely flow through the pipeline and not plug the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Tim Revega, Stefano Chiovelli, Kevin Reid
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Patent number: 9574573Abstract: In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a part for a centrifugal slurry pump is provided, comprising: forming a skeleton of the part having an outer dimension smaller than the part; placing the skeleton of the part in a metal enclosure having an interior dimension larger than the outer dimension of the skeleton of the part and thereby forming a space; adding a metal matrix composite powder into the metal enclosure to fill the space; and subjecting the metal enclosure to hot isostatic pressing, thereby allowing bonding of the metal matrix composite to the skeleton of the part to form the part.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Hugh Roth, Khaled Obaia, Damien Reid, John Tieu, Daniel MacNeil
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Patent number: 9469814Abstract: A process for extracting bitumen from an oil sand ore having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content higher than about 6% is provided, comprising mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to form an oil sand slurry; conditioning the oil sand slurry to form a conditioned oil sand slurry; introducing a dosage of sodium citrate to the process either prior to or during the mixing step, or prior to or during the conditioning step, or both; and introducing the conditioned oil sand slurry into a separation zone to form a bitumen froth and tailings.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Jun Long, Yong Joe Gu
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Patent number: 9352328Abstract: A process for enhancing the solidification of tailings is provided comprising providing overburden having a moisture content ranging from about 15 wt % to about 25 wt % and comminuting the overburden to a first size; providing tailings having a solids content ranging from about 1 wt % to about 70 wt %; adding the tailings to the first sized overburden to form treated overburden and comminuting the treated overburden to a second size; and depositing the second sized treated overburden to produce a substantially solidified deposit.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD, in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Nan Wang, Ron Cleminson, Randy Mikula
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Patent number: 9296954Abstract: A method for extracting hydrocarbons from a poor processing bitumen froth is provided comprising subjecting a bitumen, solids and water slurry to flotation in a flotation device to produce the poor processing bitumen froth; optionally subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to centrifugation to remove a portion of the water from the poor processing bitumen froth; and subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to supercritical extraction in a pressure vessel using a supercritical fluid to produce a hydrocarbon stream suitable for further upgrading.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Simon Yuan, Brent Hilscher
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Publication number: 20150329786Abstract: A method is provided for producing a marketable bitumen product having low solids and essentially no water. The method can be integrated into existing solvent extraction processes for extracting bitumen from mined oil sand. A high-solids diluted bitumen is produced from a solvent extraction process and then mixed with a light solvent (LS) stream in at least a first mixer to produce a diluted bitumen-LS mixture. The diluted bitumen-LS mixture is subjected to separation in at least a first separator to produce low-solids diluted bitumen and high-solids asphaltene-rich tails. The LS is removed from the low-solids diluted bitumen to produce the marketable bitumen product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project, as such owners exist now andInventors: XIN ALEX WU, SUJIT BHATTACHARYA
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Publication number: 20150325988Abstract: A conduit having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having a length (x) and an interior circumference (y) is provided, comprising: an interior liner for lining the interior surface of the conduit; and at least two independent continuity wires embedded into the interior liner, each continuity wire extending substantially the length of the conduit and each continuity wire being capable of being monitored independently; whereby each continuity wire is configured to span a portion of the conduit's interior circumference without overlapping with another continuity wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project, as such owners exist now andInventor: SOON WON MOON
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Publication number: 20150315477Abstract: A method of improving the quality of diluted bitumen product in a bitumen froth treatment process is provided comprising: adding a demulsifier to bitumen froth to produce a mixture of bitumen froth and demulsifier, wherein the demulsifier is added at a dosage sufficient to reduce bitumen water content in the diluted bitumen product; subjecting the mixture of bitumen froth and demulsifier to a mixing energy input of greater than about 100 J/kg; adding a hydrocarbon diluent to the mixed mixture of bitumen froth and demulsifier to produce a diluent diluted bitumen froth; and subjecting the diluent diluted bitumen froth to a separation process to produce the diluted bitumen product. In one embodiment, demulsifier is first added to naphtha to form a demulsifier-diluent mixture which is then added to bitumen froth to form a diluted bitumen froth prior to subjecting the diluted bitumen froth to a mixing energy input of greater than about 100 J/kg.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the syncrude Project, as such owners exist now andInventors: YIN MING SAMSON NG, BRIAN KNAPPER, SUJIT BHATTACHARYA, YONG GU
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Publication number: 20150203391Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for removing ammonia from mine depressurization water involving introducing the water into a tank or collection pond; injecting a sufficient amount of an oxidizing gas into the water to yield aerated water; and holding the aerated water within the tank or collection pond for a pre-determined residence time to perform air-stripping on the aerated water to facilitate the volatilization of ammonia; nitrification to convert ammonia into nitrate and nitrite; or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventors: DALLAS HEISLER, GAIL BUCHANAN, WARREN ZUBOT
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Patent number: 9068124Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for extracting bitumen from poor oil sand ore involving mixing the poor oil sand ore with heated water to produce a slurry, and conditioning the slurry to yield a poor ore stream. In a separate train, good oil sand ore is mixed with heated water to produce a slurry, and conditioned to yield a good ore stream. Both the conditioned poor ore and good ore streams are combined in specified proportions to yield a blended slurry which is then fed to a primary separation vessel to produce primary bitumen froth.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. In trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Jonathan Spence, Jun Long, Robert Siy, Samson Ng
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Publication number: 20150008161Abstract: A method for reducing rag layer volume in a stationary bitumen froth treatment process is provided, comprising subjecting dilfroth having a naphtha diluent to bitumen ratio of about 0.7 to gravity settling in a splitter vessel to produce an overflow stream of raw dilbit and an underflow stream of splitter tails; mixing the splitter tails with a naphtha diluent to give a mixture having a naphtha diluent to bitumen ratio of less than about 6:1 in a scrubber feed tank; and subjecting the mixture to gravity settling and agitation in a scrubber vessel to produce an overhead stream of scrubber hydrocarbons and an underflow stream of scrubber tails.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventors: YIN MING SAMSON NG, BRIAN KNAPPER, GEORGE CYMERMAN, TAM TRAN, ALLAN YEUNG
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Patent number: 8919575Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for separating bitumen froth into an upper bitumen-rich, reduced-solids layer, and a lower concentrated solids layer using a cone-bottomed, raked froth tank. The process involves introducing bitumen froth into the froth tank; rotating at least one movable picket through the bitumen froth; recovering the upper bitumen-rich, reduced-solids layer; and withdrawing the lower concentrated solids layer from the tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Syncrude Canada Ltd. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the futureInventors: Simon Yuan, Jim Lorentz, Jessica Vandenberghe
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Publication number: 20140346088Abstract: A method for extracting hydrocarbons from a poor processing bitumen froth is provided comprising subjecting a bitumen, solids and water slurry to flotation in a flotation device to produce the poor processing bitumen froth; optionally subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to centrifugation to remove a portion of the water from the poor processing bitumen froth; and subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to supercritical extraction in a pressure vessel using a supercritical fluid to produce a hydrocarbon stream suitable for further upgrading.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventors: SIMON YUAN, BRENT HILSCHER
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Publication number: 20140151270Abstract: A process of extracting bitumen from oil sand ores having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content higher than about 6% is provided, comprising: determining a dosage (wt %) of caustic necessary to yield a desired primary bitumen recovery; determining an amount of caustic (wt %) and an amount of sodium triphosphate (wt %) which yields substantially the same desired primary bitumen recovery or greater as the dosage of caustic (wt %) alone; mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to produce an oil sand slurry; and adding the amounts of caustic (wt %) and sodium triphosphate (wt %) before, during or after mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to condition the oil sand slurry and to improve bitumen recovery from the oil sand ore; whereby the sum of the amounts of caustic (wt %) and sodium triphosphate (wt %) is substantially equal to the dosage of caustic (wt %) alone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Syncrude Canada Ltd. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventors: JUN LONG, YONG GU
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Publication number: 20140133996Abstract: In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a part for a centrifugal slurry pump is provided, comprising: forming a skeleton of the part having an outer dimension smaller than the part; placing the skeleton of the part in a metal enclosure having an interior dimension larger than the outer dimension of the skeleton of the part and thereby forming a space; adding a metal matrix composite powder into the metal enclosure to fill the space; and subjecting the metal enclosure to hot isostatic pressing, thereby allowing bonding of the metal matrix composite to the skeleton of the part to form the part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventors: HUGH ROTH, KHALED OBAIA, DAMIEN REID, JOHN TIEU, DANIEL MACNEIL
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Publication number: 20140127021Abstract: A improved impeller for use in a centrifugal slurry pump is provided, comprising: a top shroud; a bottom shroud; and a middle portion therebetween, said middle portion having at least one substantially vertical wall defining a slurry flow channel, wherein the top shroud, bottom shroud and middle portion are configured as one piece to together define a first unitary body; at least one vane nose positioned at a leading edge of the at least one substantially vertical wall; and, optionally, a retaining ring mounted over the top shroud to secure the vane nose within the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventors: STEFANO CHIOVELLI, DANIEL MACNEIL, KHALED OBAIA, DAMIEN REID, HUGH ROTH, JOHN TIEU
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Publication number: 20140124412Abstract: A process of extracting bitumen from oil sand ores having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content greater than 6% is provided, comprising: determining the fines content and the bitumen content of the oil sand ore; calculating a sufficient amount of caustic to be added in the process using an equation based on the ratio of the fines content to the bitumen content; mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to produce an oil sand slurry; and adding the sufficient amount of caustic before, during or after mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to condition the oil sand slurry and to improve bitumen recovery from the oil sand ore.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventor: JUN LONG
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Publication number: 20140116955Abstract: A process for the disposal of oil sands tailings is provided, comprising: optionally diluting the tailings with sufficient water to yield a tailings feed having a solids content in the range of about 18 wt % to about 36 wt %; adding one or both of a coagulant and a flocculant to the tailings feed to form a centrifuge feed; centrifuging the centrifuge feed to produce a centrifuge cake having a solids content of at least about 50% and a centrate having a solids content of less than about 3 wt %; and introducing the centrifuge cake into an overburden containment structure comprised of oil sand overburden, said overburden containment structure comprising a least one trench for holding the centrifuge cake, or into a deep disposal site for additional dewatering of the centrifuge cake through self-weight consolidation and creep.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA, LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now andInventors: JAMES LORENTZ, RICK LAHAIE, RANDY MIKULA, ROBERT DONAHUE, TERRI-LYNN REEB, ROBERT CAMERON, DANIEL WAYNE MIMURA
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Publication number: 20140119832Abstract: A process of dewatering tailings is provided comprising providing overburden having a moisture content ranging from about 15 wt % to about 25 wt % and comminuting the overburden to a first size; providing tailings having a solids content ranging from about 10 wt % to about 60 wt %; adding the tailings to the first sized overburden to form treated overburden and comminuting the treated overburden to a second size; and depositing the second sized treated overburden to produce a solidified deposit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD., in trust for the owners of the Syncrude ProjectInventors: Randy Mikula, Nan Wang
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Publication number: 20140116521Abstract: A process for reducing segregation of mining tailings while being deposited below the surface of a column of fluid is provided which comprises introducing the mining tailings into a downpipe having an inlet at or near the surface of the column of fluid and an outlet submerged in the column of fluid; providing at least one pressure drop element in the downpipe to prevent acceleration of the mining tailings and maintain the tailings flow therethrough; and providing a diffusing device at the outlet of the downpipe to reduce the velocity of the mining tailings as the tailings are discharged therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now andInventors: ERIC LENEVE, RON CLEMINSON, NAN WANG