Patents Assigned to Reflux Limited
  • Patent number: 4372383
    Abstract: A method for in situ separation of bitumen from bitumen-bearing subterranean deposits includes the step of injecting a solvent composition into the deposit. The solvent composition must have an inverse critical solution temperature in a two-phase system with water and be selected from a particular group of amines that includes triethylamine and diisopropylamine. When the solvent composition contacts the bitumen in the deposit, the bitumen is dissolved by the solvent. Thereafter, the bitumen/solvent mixture is removed and separated into a bitumen component and a solvent component. The bitumen is thereafter processed to yield a usable petroleum product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Reflux Limited
    Inventor: Robert K. Ames