Abstract: A control system for an oil sand processing apparatus and a method for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum, an oil sand feed mechanism, a drive mechanism for rotating the drum, a first drum support and a second drum support. The control system includes a first drum load sensor associated with the first drum support for sensing a first drum load, a second drum load sensor associated with the second drum support for sensing a second drum load and an oil sand feedrate sensor associated with the oil sand feed mechanism for sensing a feedrate of the oil sand feed mechanism. A controller is provided for controlling a rotation speed of the drum and a feedrate of the oil sand feed mechanism in response to input data from the first drum load sensor, the second drum load sensor and the oil sand feedrate sensor.

Abstract: A method for treating a process water from a bitumen recovery process in order to obtain carbon dioxide from the process water, which method includes lowering the pH of the process water, thereby causing carbon dioxide to evolve from the process water as evolved carbon dioxide gas. The evolved carbon dioxide gas may be collected and compressed, and water vapour associated with the evolved carbon dioxide gas may be separated from the evolved carbon dioxide gas. After the carbon dioxide has been obtained from the process water, the process water and the water vapour separated from the evolved carbon dioxide gas may be recycled back to the bitumen recovery process. The evolved carbon dioxide gas may be stored for future use or sale. The method may also include heating the process water in order to reduce the solubility of carbon dioxide in the process water.

Abstract: A bitumen recovery process is provided which includes the step of providing a bitumen froth or a component derived from the bitumen froth as a feed material, wherein the bitumen froth is produced in a primary separation process from a slurry comprising oil sand and water. Further, the process includes the step of subjecting the feed material to froth flotation in a column flotation cell in order to recover a bitumen product from the feed material. Preferably, the froth flotation cell includes an underwash zone, wherein a bitumen-rich fraction of the feed material is passed through the underwash zone as the bitumen-rich fraction rises within the column flotation cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing oil sand to produce a liquid stream comprising water and bitumen and a solid stream comprising solid particles, and a method and control system for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus includes a drum having first and second ends, a conditioning zone adjacent the first end, a compressing zone adjacent the second end and a processing zone therebetween. A rotatable spiral trough, having lifting members therein, extends through each zone for imparting a spiral rolling motion to the oil sand. An oil sand inlet communicates with the conditioning zone, while a water inlet communicates with the processing zone. A liquid stream outlet is located at the first end of the drum, while a solid stream outlet is located adjacent the second end. Preferably, the spiral trough has a width through the compressing zone less than through the processing zone and a height through at least a portion of the compressing zone greater than through the processing and conditioning zones.

Abstract: A control system for an oil sand processing apparatus and a method for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum, an oil sand feed mechanism, a drive mechanism for rotating the drum, a first drum support and a second drum support. The control system includes a first drum load sensor associated with the first drum support for sensing a first drum load, a second drum load sensor associated with the second drum support for sensing a second drum load and an oil sand feedrate sensor associated with the oil sand feed mechanism for sensing a feedrate of the oil sand feed mechanism. A controller is provided for controlling a rotation speed of the drum and a feedrate of the oil sand feed mechanism in response to input data from the first drum load sensor, the second drum load sensor and the oil sand feedrate sensor.

Abstract: A method for treating a process water from a bitumen recovery process in order to obtain carbon dioxide from the process water, which method includes lowering the pH of the process water, thereby causing carbon dioxide to evolve from the process water as evolved carbon dioxide gas. The evolved carbon dioxide gas may be collected and compressed, and water vapour associated with the evolved carbon dioxide gas may be separated from the evolved carbon dioxide gas. After the carbon dioxide has been obtained from the process water, the process water and the water vapour separated from the evolved carbon dioxide gas may be recycled back to the bitumen recovery process. The evolved carbon dioxide gas may be stored for future use or sale. The method may also include heating the process water in order to reduce the solubility of carbon dioxide in the process water.

Abstract: A method for processing lumps of oil sand containing bitumen to produce a bitumen froth and non segregating tailings of a solid material and a sludge. The method includes depositing the lumps of oil sand into a bath of warm water. The lumps are then conditioned by gently contacting them with the warm water to liberate and separate bitumen from the oil sand while minimizing the dispersal into the bath of fine material contained in the oil sand. Following conditioning, the solid material remaining after the liberation and separation of the bitumen from the oil sand is removed from the bath and collected for further processing. The warm water containing bitumen and dispersed fine material is also removed from the bath and collected for further processing. Following removal from the bath, the warm water containing bitumen and dispersed fine material is separated into the bitumen froth and a suspension of dispersed fine material.

Abstract: A method for processing lumps of oil sand containing bitumen to produce a bitumen froth and non segregating tailings of a solid material and a sludge. The method includes depositing the lumps of oil sand into a bath of warm water. The lumps are then conditioned by gently contacting them with the warm water to liberate and separate bitumen from the oil sand while minimizing the dispersal into the bath of fine material contained in the oil sand. Following conditioning, the solid material remaining after the liberation and separation of the bitumen from the oil sand is removed from the bath and collected for further processing. The warm water containing bitumen and dispersed fine material is also removed from the bath and collected for further processing. Following removal from the bath, the warm water containing bitumen and dispersed fine material is separated into the bitumen froth and a suspension of dispersed fine material.

Abstract: An oil sands separator includes a drum (10) having a solids discharge end (24) and a liquid discharge end (22) and a spiral ribbon (14) having a plurality of flights wound inside the interior of the drum. A first plate (28) partially closes the solids discharge end and has a first opening (32) disposed within it. A second plate (26) partially closes the liquid discharge end and has a second opening (30) disposed within it. A conveyor (46) is provided at the liquid discharge end for conveying feed into the drum through the second opening and into the spiral ribbon. A pipe (50) at the solids discharge end conveys hot water into the drum through the first opening. Pockets (40) at the solids discharge end remove solids from the drum as a drive rotates the drum and its spiral ribbon.