Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, at least comprising: a housing containing a first section, a second section and a third section; the first section having a first inlet for oil sand, a second inlet for solvent and an outlet for solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; the second section having an inlet for the solvent-diluted oil sand slurry, a screen allowing undersized material to pass and an outlet for oversized material; and the third section having an inlet for oversized material and an outlet for solvent-depleted oversized material; wherein the first section, the second section and the third section can rotate during use around a common rotation axis (A-A?).

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing deasphalted bitumen and heavy bitumen compositions from oil sands and processes for upgrading the bitumen compositions. The processes for producing the deasphalted bitumen and heavy bitumen compositions involve a Phase I and/or Phase II extraction solvent. According to the Phase I process, a high quality oil sands-derived, deasphalted bitumen can be produced using a Phase I type solvent. According to the Phase II process, a substantial amount of the heavy bitumen on the oil sand can be extracted using a Phase II type solvent, while producing a relatively a tailings by-product that is non-harmful to the environment. The heavy bitumen from the Phase II type extraction process can be hydroprocessed for ready conversion into relatively high volumes of high quality transportation fuels.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing bitumen-derived crude oil and heavy bitumen compositions from oil sand. The processes involve treating oil sand feedstock with a first hydrocarbon solvent comprised of propane to produce the bitumen-derived crude oil composition having an asphaltene content of not greater than 5 wt % pentane insoluble, and an oil-depleted oil sand. The oil-depleted oil sand is treated with a second hydrocarbon solvent comprised of propane and a fraction of the bitumen-derived crude oil composition to produce the heavy bitumen composition and oil sand tailings. The oil sand tailings are dried by contacting the tailings with a drying composition comprised of a majority of propane.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from oil sands having a transition temperature at which the oil sands solidify includes forming formable oil sands into pellets and cooling at least a surface of the pellets sufficiently to prevent the pellets from aggregating; cooling the pellets to below the transition temperature; fracturing the pellets to release the bitumen from the oil sands while maintaining the temperature of the pellets below the transition temperature; and separating the bitumen from the oil sands in a separator.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon-extracting solvent containing DMSO, Cellosolve, or a mixture thereof; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the hydrocarbon-extracting solvent to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the hydrocarbon-extracting solvent; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A process for the separation of high purity organic fractions from oil sands is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a phenoxy herbicide in an aqueous sample, by simultaneously phase-transfer catalyst extracting and alkylating an aqueous sample comprising a phenoxy herbicide to form a sample composition, and measuring an amount of the alkylated phenoxy herbicide in the sample composition. The method includes controlling factors such as pH of the aqueous matrix, temperature, extraction duration, type and amount of derivation reagents, and type and amount of phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A system for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from sand and/or drill cuttings includes screening large debris from a first loading inlet hopper (101) to a screen covered receiving hopper (102) that may contain a chopper and chemical additive nozzles (105). A first inclined auger (104) receives the material from hopper (102) at its lower inlet port and conveys the material upwards dropping it into a hopper (106) and then to a unit (107) either of which may include a crasher (106). Unit (107) includes an eductor (109) which feeds the screened and treated sand slurry to desanding units (112) such as hydro cyclones. The underflow from the desanders is sent to an auger tank's (114) first compartment (113) while the overflow is sent to its second compartment (115) where a flow distributing conduit (117) that disperses it over the surface of both compartments (113), (115). The auger tank (114) employs horizontal augers (116) that are arterial both the first and second compartments (113) and (114).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method, and use of, a surfactant is provided for reducing the total acid number (TAN) of produced hydrocarbons. The method may include introducing a surfactant to produced hydrocarbons, separating the surfactant from the produced hydrocarbons, and removing the surfactant and associated acid from the hydrocarbons. The cloud point of the surfactant may be used in the separating step of the method, and removal of the precipitate from the hydrocarbons may reduce the TAN of the hydrocarbons. The separation step may include forming an aqueous or intermediate phase that comprises the surfactant and associated acid.

Abstract: Process for the extraction of hydrocarbons contained in oil sands and oil shale comprising feeding said oil sands or oil shale to a suitable apparatus in which they are heated, directly and/or by means of a suitable vector fluid, making use of solar energy collected by means of optical concentration systems.

Abstract: A method for desorption of bitumen from clay particles. Also a method for the desorption of asphaltenes from clay particles and a method for the desorption of bituminous fractions from mature fine tails (MFT). The method for desorption of bitumen from clay particles involves interacting, in a suitable organic solvent, a clay-bitumen composite with a compound capable of stabilizing the bitumen in the organic solvent and adsorbing to clay particles such that the compound replaces the bitumen in the clay-bitumen composite. A substantial amount of the compound that is capable of stabilizing the bitumen in the organic solvent is recovered with the clay particles, while the bitumen is released. Similarly, the method for desorption of asphaltenes from clay particles also involves interacting a clay-asphaltene composite with a compound capable of stabilizing the asphaltenes in an organic solvent, recovering the compound with the clay particles, and releasing the asphaltenes into solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of filtering a solvent-containing slurry stream including: (a) providing a solvent-containing slurry stream, the solvent comprising an aliphatic hydrocarbon; (b) depositing the solvent-containing slurry stream provided in step (a) as a filter cake on a filter medium, wherein a top layer of liquid is formed on the filter cake; (c) allowing the top layer of liquid as formed in step (b) to drain through the filter cake such that substantially no liquid remains on top of the filter cake; (d) allowing a gas to partially penetrate into the filter cake thereby obtaining a filter cake with a liquid solvent-depleted top layer; (e) passing liquid solvent through the filter cake with the liquid solvent-depleted top layer as obtained in step (d) thereby obtaining a washed filter cake; (f) removing solvent from the washed filter cake as obtained in step (e) thereby obtaining a solvent-depleted filter cake; and (g) removing the solvent-depleted filter cake as obtained in step (f) fro

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from bituminous material. In some embodiments, the method may include loading a bitumen material in a column, followed by feeding a first quantity of solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting the bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column. A quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent may then be fed into the column. In some embodiments, the method may include simultaneously loading bitumen material and a solvent in a column, followed by feeding additional solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column, and feeding a quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent into the column.

Abstract: A cascading reactor system configured for recovering kerogen oil from rubblized oil shale by cycling each reactor through at least a preheating phase, a peak heating phase, a cooling phase, and a recharging phase by the differential and sequential direction of fluid through each reactor and, wherein the system is modularly scalable.

Abstract: Embodiments of a feedwell discharge a solvent treated bitumen-containing froth feed to a froth settling vessel at a Richardson number less than 1.0. Feed is discharged from feedwell inlets to the vessel, either located at a center of the vessel or at a perimeter wall of the vessel along a substantially horizontal path across the vessel. The high velocity maximizes the horizontal path. As the velocity is reduced along the path and as a result of collision in the vessel with the perimeter wall or with feed entering the vessel from an opposing inlet, the feed separates into diluted bitumen and solvent which rises in the vessel for discharge as an overflow product and a waste stream, comprising water, solids and asphaltenes, which settles to the bottom of the vessel to be discharged as an underflow. A relatively uniform clarification zone forms above the inlets submerged in the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a plant material and methods for using the same. The methods include extracting or removing a substance from a substrate, or remediating a substrate from a substance. The substance can comprise a hydrocarbon-containing substance, a protein, lipid, wax, fatty acid or fatty alcohol, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for extracting deasphalted crude oil from oil sand. Deasphalted crude oil can be extracted using a hydrocarbon recycle solvent stream having specified Hansen blend parameters, with the oil sand being contacted with the hydrocarbon recycle solvent stream in a contact zone of a vessel to separate not greater than 80 wt % of the bitumen present on the oil sand. The separated bitumen is considered a deasphalted crude oil stream, since it has an asphaltenes content substantially lower than that of the total bitumen initially present on the oil sand. The deasphalted crude oil stream can be treated using a hydrotreating catalyst or catalytic cracking catalyst to produce transportation fuel.

Abstract: An improved composition for recovering bitumen from oil sands is used in the traditional “hot water” extraction process. An aliquot of a solvent mixture is mixed with bitumen ore and water. A pH builder is added and following mixing primary and secondary froths are recovered. The solvent mixture contains a monoterpene, nonionic surfactant, a short chain alcohol and a short chain ketone. Primary and secondary froth recovery is at least 80% at temperatures of about 35° C. Only very small amounts of solvent are used, and all solvents are biodegradable.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and related devices and systems for the conversion of higher hydrocarbons, such as in the form of waste plastics, petroleum sludge, slope oil, vegetable oil, and so forth, into lower hydrocarbons, which can be used as fuels or raw materials for a variety of industrial and domestic uses.

Abstract: The invention provides a processing method for upgrading an organic phase substance by removing heavy element species from the organic phase substance originating from a resource substance in mild environmental conditions, and further provides a method for collecting removed heavy element species and a method for collecting other substances.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing crude oil comprise adding water to the crude oil to produce an emulsion comprising brine and oil and solids; separating oil from brine including producing brine comprising a rag layer; separating the rag layer into a hydrocarbon emulsion having finer solids and brine comprising larger solids; and passing the hydrocarbon emulsion along a cross-flow filter to produce a retentate comprising brine and solids and a permeate comprising hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for enhancing solid-liquid separation by using a low molecular weight alcohol, such as isopropanol. The methods can be used in a variety of settings to facilitate solid-liquid separation, such as that in anaerobic digestion and treatment of tailing pond sludge.

Abstract: Methods of separating a viscous hydrocarbon from an ore are conducted at an oil extraction facility. The methods include transporting a slurry to a separation vessel. The transport may take place substantially without the use of an air compressor and without the injection of air into the slurry along a hydro-transport line. The methods also include mixing a plurality of beads into the slurry. The beads have a specific gravity that is less than about 0.95. The beads are used in lieu of air. The beads have an outer oleophilic surface for retaining oil, thereby aiding in the separation process. The beads are substantially coated with bitumen prior to introduction to the slurry. The method then includes separating the slurry into a first solution comprising primarily bitumen and the oleophilic beads, and a second solution comprising primarily water and sand.

Abstract: Compounds of biodegradable surfactants useful for optimizing the separation of impurities typical of hydrocarbons, and designed to intervene and stabilize the molecular structure of crude oil, with no significant alterations of the crude's intrinsec composition are disclosed. The biodegradable surfactants compounds coexist with a non-ionic surfactant and an organic mix in emulsion form with the purpose of isolating crude from the pipeline, reduce friction to improve crude flow and to enter the crude macromolecule to modify the hydrocarbon chain to reduce its density and thus its viscosity; including compounds of biodegradable surfactants that comprise sodium hydroxide 1N, potassium chloride, sulphonic acid, dodecanoic acid, nonylphenol, terpene-1 and water, preferably hard water.

Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.

Abstract: A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering a suspension includes at least one filter for continuous creation of a filter cake including particles from the suspension, at least one dispensing device configured to apply at least one first wash liquid to the filter cakes, at least one steaming unit configured to steam the filter cake using steam; at least one removal device configured to remove a surface layer of the filter cake facing away from the at least one filter, wherein the filter device is configured to convey the filter cake to the at least one removal device, the at least one dispensing device and the at least one steaming device, and at least one transport device configured to transport the removed surface layer of the filter cake away from the filter device.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for manipulating petroleum, non-conventional oil and other viscous complex fluids made of hydrocarbons that comprise enforcement of fluid in a multi-stage flow-through hydrodynamic cavitational reactor, subjecting said fluids to a controlled cavitation and continuing the application of such cavitation for a period of time sufficient for obtaining desired changes in physical properties and/or chemical composition and generating the upgraded products. The method includes alteration of chemical bonds, induction of interactions of components, changes in composition, heterogeneity and rheological characteristics in order to facilitate handling, improve yields of distillate fuels and optimize other properties.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions and methods for enhanced oil recovery in the presence of multivalent mineral cations. The aqueous and emulsion compositions provided herein include a boron oxygenate and may be useful for the recovery of unrefined petroleum materials from mineral-bearing reservoirs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating oil sands tailings. The tailings are conditioned with an aluminate and treated with a silicate-containing stream from a hydrocarbon operation or from a geothermal source to produce chemically-induced micro-agglomerates (CIMA) and water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating heavy crude oil on the surface or in situ. The methods of the present invention include: (a) mixing the heavy crude oil with a solvent; (b) subjecting the mixture to ultrasonic vibrations; and (c) subjecting mixture treated with ultrasonic vibrations to microwave energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides new techniques related to magnetically controllable and/or steerable froth for use in separation processes of mineral-bearing ore and bitumen. Apparatus is provided featuring a processor configured to contain a fluidic medium having a material-of-interest and also having a surfactant with magnetic properties so as to cause the formation of a froth layer that contains at least some of the material-of-interest and is magnetically responsive; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field and provide non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the processor. The material-of-interest may be mineral-bearing ore particles or bitumen. The processor includes a flotation tank, a primary separation vessel (PSV), or a pipe, including a tailings pipeline.

Abstract: Described herein is a process that employs heat, derived from the combustion of product cleaning streams, such as waste streams, in a solvent-based extraction process. Solvent extraction of bitumen generally involves combining solvent with a bituminous feed to produce a cleaned bitumen product. Solvent is recovered, for example by utilizing heat to cause evaporation, and recovered solvent may be re-used. In an exemplary embodiment, hot flue gas from waste stream combustion may provide the heat to evaporate the solvent. Product cleaning waste streams may be ones produced from the trim cleaning of solvent extracted bitumen or from treatment of bitumen froth produced in a water-based extraction process. The heat generated can contribute to the energy requirements of the overall solvent extraction of bitumen.

Abstract: Provided are processes for treating a tailings stream which comprises water and solids, the process comprising: (i) adding one or more anionic polymer flocculants and one or more nonionic polymer flocculants to the tailings stream; (ii) allowing at least a portion of the solids to flocculate; and (iii) separating at least a portion of the flocculated solids from the tailings stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing crude oil comprise adding water to the crude oil to produce an emulsion comprising brine and oil and solids; separating oil from brine including producing brine comprising a rag layer; separating the rag layer into a hydrocarbon emulsion having finer solids and brine comprising larger solids; and passing the hydrocarbon emulsion along a cross-flow filter to produce a retentate comprising brine and solids and a permeate comprising hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a high quality bitumen product derived from oil sand. The process for producing the high quality bitumen product involves a dual phase bitumen extraction process. In this dual phase process, a very high quality deasphalted crude oil is extracted from the oil sand in a solvent treatment first phase. The second phase of the process produces a high quality bitumen product from the solvent-treated oil sand.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using different output from gas to liquids (GTL) plants are described.

Abstract: Crude oil-contaminated objects are remediated by mixing crude oil-contaminated objects with an aqueous solution including co-solvents, electrolytes, and anionic surfactants. The co-solvents are selected from the group consisting of secondary butyl alcohol and isopropanol. The electrolytes are selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride and sodium chloride. The aqueous solution comprises between 5% and 10% of secondary butyl alcohol by weight; between 1% to 8% of an anionic surfactant by weight; and between 3000 mg/L and 5000 mg/L electrolytes.

Abstract: A composition and method for displacing, dissolving, extracting, recovering, and/or removing solvent and/or any solvent-associated liquids from a solvent-treated material or penetrating through pores or the surface of a solvent-treated material using a solvent-extracting composition for contacting solvent-treated material and separating the solvent and any solvent-associated liquids from the solvent-treated material as well as the solvent-extracting composition.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A continuous process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon includes the steps of: obtaining a heavy hydrocarbon; heating the heavy hydrocarbon; contacting the heavy hydrocarbon with a solvent at upgrading conditions so as to produce a first product comprising a mixture of upgraded hydrocarbon and solvent and a second product comprising asphaltene waste and water; continuously feeding the first product and the second product to a first separator; heating the first product; and continuously feeding the first product to a second separator to separate the upgraded hydrocarbon from the solvent. A system is also provided.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of oils from a solid matrix comprising: subjecting said solid matrix to extraction by mixing with at least one organic solvent having a boiling point lower than or equal to 160° C., preferably ranging from 60° C. to 140° C., operating at a temperature ranging from 5° C. to 40° C., preferably ranging from 15° C. to 30° C., and at atmospheric pressure (1 atm), obtaining a solid-liquid mixture; subjecting said solid-liquid mixture to separation, obtaining a liquid phase comprising said oils and said organic solvent and a solid phase comprising said solid matrix; recovering said organic solvent from said liquid phase.

Abstract: Methods for transporting bitumen extraction product include providing bitumen-laden aromatic solvent, providing bitumen-laden paraffinic solvent, and blending the two materials. The resulting mixture can be transported through existing pipeline infrastructure and can use existing separation processing equipment, and thereby avoids the need for separate infrastructure for each composition. Combining the two compositions can also avoid undesirable asphaltene precipitation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon from oil containing rocks is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment a method includes mixing oil sandstone and a phosphonium based ionic liquid and subjecting the resulting mixture to microwave radiation of 2.54 Gigahertz. Within 1 minute the trapped hydrocarbon is extracted into the ionic liquid which can be subsequently processed to remove the hydrocarbons from the ionic liquid.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for separating oil from oil sands or oil shale is disclosed. The method includes heating the oil sands, spinning the heated oil sands, confining the sand particles mechanically, and recovering the oil substantially free of the sand. The method can be used without the addition of chemical extraction agents. The system includes a source of centrifugal force, a heat source, a separation device, and a recovery device. The separation device includes a method of confining the sands while allowing the oil to escape, such as through an aperture.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce a clean resid from a heavy hydrocarbon, the method including the steps of: feeding a heavy hydrocarbon to a conversion unit to convert at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbon to lighter products and producing a resid, the resid comprising at least ten percent by weight components having true boiling points greater than 380° C. and further comprising at least some asphaltenes; contacting the resid with a naphtha to produce a mixed naphtha and resid, the naphtha comprising paraffin having from four to twelve carbons, the ratio of naphtha to resid high enough to result in precipitation of at least a portion of the asphaltenes in the resid; and separating a reject stream comprising asphaltenes and at least some solids from the resid to form a clean resid.

Abstract: A solvent that reversibly converts from a hydrophobic liquid form to hydrophilic liquid form upon contact with water and a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. The hydrophilic liquid form is readily converted back to the hydrophobic liquid form and water. The hydrophobic liquid is an amidine or amine. The hydrophilic liquid form comprises an amidinium salt or an ammonium salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a class of novel surfactants that have utility in the recovery and/or extraction of oil.