Abstract: A method for controlling the solids distribution in a bitumen froth produced when processing an oil sands ore having a d50 of about 250 ?m or greater and a d90 of about 450 ?m or greater is provided comprising adding a high-fines material having a d50 of about 50 ?m or less and a fines content of about 40% of the solids or greater to the oil sands ore to form an ore blend; and processing the ore blend in a water-based bitumen extraction process to produce the bitumen froth.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling bitumen recovery from an oil sands ore body in a bitumen extraction process by establishing and using a predictive ore processability model that accounts for multiple ore characteristics in planning ore deliveries from different locations of the ore body to produce a blended ore feedstock.

Abstract: A method for controlling the solids distribution in a bitumen froth produced when processing an oil sands ore having a d50 of about 250 ?m or greater and a d90 of about 450 ?m or greater is provided comprising adding a high-fines material having a d50 of about 50 ?m or less and a fines content of about 40% of the solids or greater to the oil sands ore to form an ore blend; and processing the ore blend in a water-based bitumen extraction process to produce the bitumen froth.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling bitumen recovery from an oil sands ore body in a bitumen extraction process by establishing and using a predictive ore processability model that accounts for multiple ore characteristics in planning ore deliveries from different locations of the ore body to produce a blended ore feedstock.

Abstract: Fines loading into a primary separation vessel is used to control oil sand ore feed rate and ore fines content to a water-based bitumen extraction plant comprising a slurry preparation unit and to also control the number of primary separation vessels in operation at a bitumen separation plant to minimize operation upsets/excursions and to optimize overall extraction performance.

Abstract: A process for extracting bitumen from weathered oil sand ore is provided, comprising mixing the weathered oil sand ore with heated water and sodium triphosphate to form a weathered oil sand slurry; adding sodium triphosphate to either the weathered oil sand ore, the heated water, or to the weathered oil sand slurry; conditioning the weathered oil sand slurry at a temperature of at least 50° C. to form a conditioned weathered oil sand slurry; and subjecting the conditioned weathered oil sand slurry to gravity separation at a temperature of at least 50° C. to form a bitumen froth product.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of optimizing bitumen extraction from mined oil sand ores, using a process having one or more process variables which affect bitumen recovery and/or bitumen froth quality is provided comprising measuring a measure of hydrophobicity of the solids in the ore; and adjusting the one or more process variables in response to the measure of hydrophobicity to increase bitumen recovery and/or improve bitumen froth quality by increasing its bitumen content and/or reducing its solids content.

Abstract: A process for operating multiple oil sand mine sites for extracting bitumen from oil sand is disclosed, comprising preparing a first conditioned oil sand slurry at a first location using a first oil sand slurry preparation and slurry conditioning process; preparing a second conditioned oil sand slurry at a second location using a second oil sand slurry preparation and slurry conditioning process; combining the first conditioned oil sand slurry and the second conditioned oil sand slurry in at least one slurry distributor to produce a combined oil sand slurry; and distributing the combined oil sand slurry to at least one separation vessel to produce bitumen froth.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating an aqueous oil sand slurry containing bitumen droplets and air bubbles prior to separation in a separator, comprising separating the aqueous oil sand slurry into at least two individual slurry streams and allowing the at least two slurry streams to collide with one another such that the bitumen droplets and air bubbles in each slurry stream make contact with one another to increase both collision frequency and efficiency, and providing sufficient residence time to allow the bitumen droplet to coalesce, grow, and aerate to produce a treated oil sand slurry with larger and lighter bitumen droplets to improve bitumen flotation and recovery.

Abstract: A process for operating multiple oil sand mine sites for extracting bitumen from oil sand is disclosed, comprising preparing a first conditioned oil sand slurry at a first location using a first oil sand slurry preparation and slurry conditioning process; preparing a second conditioned oil sand slurry at a second location using a second oil sand slurry preparation and slurry conditioning process; combining the first conditioned oil sand slurry and the second conditioned oil sand slurry in at least one slurry distributor to produce a combined oil sand slurry; and distributing the combined oil sand slurry to at least one separation vessel to produce bitumen froth.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating an aqueous oil sand slurry containing bitumen droplets and air bubbles prior to separation in a separator, comprising separating the aqueous oil sand slurry into at least two individual slurry streams and allowing the at least two slurry streams to collide with one another such that the bitumen droplets and air bubbles in each slurry stream make contact with one another to increase both collision frequency and efficiency, and providing sufficient residence time to allow the bitumen droplet to coalesce, grow, and aerate to produce a treated oil sand slurry with larger and lighter bitumen droplets to improve bitumen flotation and recovery.