Abstract: Systems and methods for remediating an initially liquid-like slurry pond include distributing one or more floating wicks into the slurry pond, wherein the slurry pond includes a slurry with a supernatant level above the slurry. A method also includes placing a load on the slurry, wherein the load causes an effective stress on the slurry and aids in dewatering the slurry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering mine tailings with water-absorbing polymers. The systems and methods may include combining a mine tailings slurry, which includes mine tailings and water, with a water-absorbing polymer. The water-absorbing polymer may absorb water from the mine tailings, thereby increasing a solids content of the mine tailings. The mine tailings may be combined with the water-absorbing polymer prior to, during, and/or subsequent to transfer of the mine tailings to a mine tailings dewatering and/or disposal site. In some embodiments, the water-absorbing polymer may be an encapsulated water-absorbing polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with an extraction liquor to form a slurry. A bridging liquid is added to the slurry in at least two stages and solids within the slurry are agitated to form an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerated solids and a low solids bitumen extract. The agglomerates are then separated from the low solids bitumen extract. Potential benefits may include the production of smaller and more uniform agglomerates. The former may lead to higher bitumen recoveries and the latter may improve the solid-liquid separation rate. The bridging liquid may be added in an area of relatively high shear rates. Between stages of bridging liquid addition, agglomerates may be removed.

Abstract: Described is a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is solvent extracted to form a bitumen-rich stream and a bitumen-lean stream. Solvent is recovered from the bitumen-rich stream to form a bitumen product. Solvent and water are recovered from the bitumen-lean stream to form dry tailings with a moisture content of less than 40 wt.%. The dry tailings are separated into at least two streams, each stream having a moisture content of less than 40 wt. %, based on at least one physical or chemical property. At least one of the at least two streams is then used at an oil sands mine site. In this way, the dry tailings may be used more effectively.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with an extraction liquor to form a slurry. A bridging liquid is added to the slurry, and, solids are agitated within the slurry to form an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerates and a low solids bitumen extract. In order to control agglomeration, the slurry is analyzed and the processing method is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remediating an initially liquid-like slurry pond include distributing one or more floating wicks into the slurry pond, wherein the slurry pond includes a slurry with a supernatant level above the slurry. A method also includes placing a load on the slurry, wherein the load causes an effective stress on the slurry and aids in dewatering the slurry.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with an extraction liquor to form a slurry. The slurry is then flowed through a pipeline. A bridging liquid is added to the slurry to assist agglomeration. Agitation is also used to assist agglomeration. The result is an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerates and a low solids bitumen extract. The agglomerates are then separated from the low solids bitumen extract. Performing the agglomeration in a pipeline as opposed to in a conventional agitating vessel may provide certain advantages, such as improved sealing in order to contain the potentially flammable mixture of oil sands slurry from the atmosphere, production of smaller and more uniform agglomerates due to improved mixing of the bridging liquid into the oil sands slurry, and the flexibility to have a long residence time for the extraction and agglomeration processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of processing a bituminous feed. The bituminous feed is contacted with a bridging liquid-in-extraction liquor emulsion to form a slurry. Solids in the slurry are agglomerated, using agitation, to form an agglomerated slurry comprising agglomerated solids and a low solids bitumen extract. The agglomerates are then separated from the low solids bitumen extract. Emulsifying the bridging liquid prior to contacting it with the oil sands may reduce the amount of energy required for the agglomeration process. Other potential benefits may include the production of smaller and more uniform agglomerates. The former may lead to higher bitumen recoveries and the latter may improve the solid-liquid separation rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydrotreating a liquid fraction of a shale oil stream using hydrogen gas that is concentrated from a gaseous fraction of the shale oil stream. The systems and methods include providing a portion of the gaseous fraction to a sorptive separation assembly and separating a concentrated hydrogen stream from the portion of the gaseous fraction within the sorptive separation assembly. The system and methods further include providing the concentrated hydrogen stream and the liquid fraction to a hydrotreater and reacting the concentrated hydrogen stream with the liquid fraction within the hydrotreater to produce the hydrotreated liquid stream. The systems and methods may include generating the shale oil stream within a subterranean formation using an in situ process, such as an in situ shale oil conversion process and/or providing a supplemental hydrogen stream to the hydrotreater.

Abstract: System and methods for remediating a slurry pond are disclosed herein. A method includes distributing a material over a surface of the slurry pond, wherein the slurry pond includes residues from a plant operation. A method also includes placing a load on the material, wherein the load causes the material to sink below a level of a supernatant but to remain above a layer of sludge in the slurry pond.

Abstract: Processes are described for extracting hydrocarbon from a mineable deposit, such as bitumen from oil sands. The integration of solvent-based extraction processes with aqueous extraction processes is described. In one embodiment, water is removed from an aqueous bituminous feed that is then directed into a solvent-based extraction process. In another embodiment, a stream produced through solvent extraction is directed into a water-based extraction process. In the solvent-based extraction processes, agglomeration of fines may be employed to simplify subsequent solid-liquid separation. The process permits recovery of hydrocarbon that has conventionally may have been too difficult to recover from oil sands processing, and thus has previously been lost. Advantageously, a fungible product can be formed more efficiently according to certain integrated processes described herein.

Abstract: Systems, compositions, and methods for dewatering and/or increasing a mechanical strength of mine tailings. These systems, compositions, and methods may include combining mine tailings with wicking fibers to form a composite mine tailings mixture. The wicking fibers may provide a conduit for the removal of fluid from the composite mine tailings mixture. The composite mine tailings mixture further may include a binder that may decrease repulsive forces among fine particles that comprise the mine tailings and/or increase attractive forces among the fine particles, leading to a separation of the fine particles from at least a portion of the fluid contained within the composite mine tailings mixture. The composite mine tailings mixture may be placed in a storage or dewatering area as a composite mine tailings mixture deposit, which may include internal structure, such as layers of the composite mine tailings mixture and/or long-range orientation of the wicking fibers contained therein.

Abstract: The determination of wax crystal particle size and population is used to monitor the performance of wax crystallizers used in lubricant oil processing using solvent dewaxing. The wax crystal particle size is monitored using online measurements. The information obtained from on-line monitoring is then used to control crystallization in the dewaxing equipment in order to optimize performance of the dewaxing units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing lube oil basestocks from lube oil boiling range feeds. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a process wherein a wax containing feed is solvent dewaxed to produce at least a partially dewaxed lube oil boiling range stream, which is hydrodewaxed to produce a first lube basestock. The first lube basestock is added to an independently selected second lube basestock and additives to make a lubricating oil.

Abstract: The determination of wax crystal particle size and population is used to monitor the performance of wax crystallizers used in lubricant oil processing using solvent dewaxing. The wax crystal particle size is monitored using online measurements. The information obtained from on-line monitoring is then used to control crystallization in the dewaxing equipment in order to optimize performance of the dewaxing units.

Abstract: All catalytic process for producing white oils is provided. More particularly, medicinal grade white oils are produced from a process including hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking, catalytic dewaxing followed by hydrofinishing to produce a medicinal white oil.

Abstract: All catalytic process for producing white oils is provided. More particularly, medicinal grade white oils are produced from a process including hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking, catalytic dewaxing followed by hydrofinishing to produce a medicinal white oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing lube oil basestocks from lube oil boiling range feeds. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a process wherein a wax containing feed is solvent dewaxed to produce at least a partially dewaxed lube oil boiling range stream, which is hydrodewaxed to produce a first lube basestock. The first lube basestock is added to an independently selected second lube basestock and additives to make a lubricating oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for generating peroxides in petroleum streams and extracting oxidized sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Peroxides are generated in-situ by combining the petroleum stream with a high neutralization number (HNN) crude and adding an oxygen-containing stream. Alternatively, the oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen compounds may be accomplished by adding peroxides in the presence of oil soluble metal catalysts. The peroxides oxidize nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the petroleum stream to more polar compounds which are solvent extracted.

Abstract: An anchor for positioning in an opening of a surface includes a first generally flat portion having a slot formed therein, the slot having a longitudinal centerline; a second generally flat portion having a slot formed therein, the slot having a longitudinal centerline coincident on a line with the longitudinal centerline of the slot of the first flat portion, the second generally flat portion including at least one opening formed therein that defines an attachment ring; a hinge that connects the first and second flat portions at ends opposite open ends of the slots; a latch rotatably connected to the first flat portion; and a pin for releasably connecting the latch to the second flat portion to thereby secure the anchor in an unfolded position.