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: Apparatus, systems, and methods for providing cooled air to an aircraft using dry ice. The cooling apparatus includes dry ice hopper to store dry ice and feed it to a dry ice mill, which is turn mills the dry ice into an insulated vessel containing a fluid coolant. A fluid coolant loop connects the insulated vessel with a heat exchanger, and a pump transports the fluid coolant through the fluid coolant loop. An agitator within the insulated vessel is coupled to the pump, so that operation of the pump causes the agitator to agitate the mixture of fluid coolant and milled dry ice within the insulated vessel. Cool air is provided to the aircraft by an air delivery system that conveys air across the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to the use of one or more polymers, e.g., one or more dry acid polymers and/or one or more dry acid polymers with salt, as flocculants, generally for treating tailings, e.g., oil sands tailings, in need of solid-liquid separation, e.g., in order to efficiently recycle water and/or to reduce the volume of tailings which may be transferred to a tailings pond and/or a dedicated disposal area.

Abstract: An organic blend chemical additive comprising more than 50 wt. % organic solvent (e.g. methanol and/or ethylene glycol), less than 10 wt. % water, a nitrate salt, a maleic acid copolymer, and optionally an imidazoline may be delivered to a production well through a conduit having a stainless steel and corrosion resistant metal alloy surface, such as a capillary string or an umbilical tubing, the organic blend chemical additive being shown to be useful in inhibiting localized corrosion of and improving the repassivation of the equipment or conduit.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and process agents for bitumen extraction from ore. More specifically, the method comprises contacting a process agent to the ore and adding water to form a bitumen-containing slurry. The process agent comprises sodium silicate, an aluminate, a dodecyl sulfate, or a combination thereof.

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 process for treating a bitumen froth comprising bitumen, solids and water to produce a deasphalted oil product is provided comprising optionally diluting the raw bitumen froth with a diluent to form a diluted bitumen froth; separating the raw or diluted bitumen froth into a light bitumen fraction and a heavy bitumen fraction comprising bitumen, fine solids and water; mixing the heavy bitumen fraction with a first solvent to form a solvent/bitumen mixture; and introducing the solvent/bitumen mixture into a first extraction vessel operating at a temperature and a pressure such that the solvent is at or near supercritical conditions to form a heavy phase comprising asphaltenes, solids and water and a light phase comprising deasphalted oil.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel 10 into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer 13 which rises above an interface 14 formed between the froth layer 13 and the mixture of particles and fluid 12, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel 10 by the froth layer 13 to become a first product of the system. The vessel 10 also has a first outlet 29 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel 10, an entry to the first outlet 29 being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface 14. The vessel also has a second outlet 20 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel 10 which is located below the first outlet 29.

Abstract: Methods for dispersing foulants are disclosed herein. Various effective dispersant compositions are also disclosed. The dispersant composition can include a silt dispersant and a hydrocarbon dispersant. Generally, the silt dispersant can be a homopolymer or a copolymer of one or more monomers, and the monomers can be one or more of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ?-halo acrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, vinyl acetic acid, allyl acetic acid, fumaric acid, ?-carboxylic acrylate, and their salts. The silt dispersant can also be a terpolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, and sulfonated acrylamide. The hydrocarbon dispersant can be a non-ionic surfactant or a nonylphenol or a nonylphenol ethoxylate, such as a high EO 9 Nonyl phenol resin. Also disclosed are methods for preventing or reducing fouling in equipment that contacts water used during a hydrocarbon production process.

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: A process for the removal of heavy oil/bitumen from oil/hydrocarbon wet and/or water wet tar sand. The tar sand is mixed with an inorganic liquid such as water or a treated effluent and an inorganic solid which is a silicate or metasilicate for a period of time sufficient for the inorganic liquid and the inorganic solid to interact and strip the heavy oil/bitumen from the tar sand. The process includes additional steps to produce clean heavy oil/bitumen and clear effluent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing foamed bitumen for a road construction machine, comprising at least one mixing device having a reaction chamber, in which hot bitumen and at least one reaction fluid can be mixed together via an inlet device comprising at least one inlet nozzle and can be discharged from the mixing device via an outlet device, with at least one compressed-air device being provided, via which the inlet device and/or the outlet device can be subjected to a compressed-air stream for testing and/or cleaning purposes. The present invention further also relates to a method for maintaining such an apparatus.

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 system and method for tailings disposal is disclosed. A coarse tailings feed stream and a coarse tailings crusher for crushing the coarse tailings feed stream is provided. A crushed coarse tailings stream may be produced by the coarse tailings crusher, and a disposal stream comprising the crushed coarse tailings stream may be discarded as geotechnically stable waste product. The system and method may further provide a fine tailings stream and a thickener configured to thicken/dewater the fine tailings stream and produce a thickener underflow fine tailings stream. The system and method may provide a mixer configured to mix the thickener underflow fine tailings stream and the crushed coarse tailings stream to form a combined tailings disposal stream. Dewatering apparatus may also be provided.

Abstract: A method of converting carbon containing compounds such as coal, methane or other hydrocarbons into a liquid hydrocarbon fuel utilizes a high pressure, high temperature reactor which operates upon a blend of a carbon compound including CO2 and a carbon source, a catalyst, and steam. Microwave power is directed into the reactor. The catalyst, preferably magnetite, will act as a heating media for the microwave power and the temperature of the reactor will rise to a level to efficiently convert the carbon and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A crude oil friction reducer is disclosed. The friction reducer includes water soluble anionic surfactants as active components and non-aromatic solvents. The water soluble anionic surfactants include anionic sulfonate surfactant and an anionic sulfate surfactant, such as anionic sodium sulfate surfactant, dissolved in an aqueous chelating solution. The friction reducer may also include a pH adjuster. The friction reducer is used with heavy and extra heavy crude oil.

Abstract: A process for extracting bitumen from an oil sand ore having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content higher than about 6% is provided, comprising mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to form an oil sand slurry; conditioning the oil sand slurry to form a conditioned oil sand slurry; introducing a dosage of sodium citrate to the process either prior to or during the mixing step, or prior to or during the conditioning step, or both; and introducing the conditioned oil sand slurry into a separation zone to form a bitumen froth and tailings.

Abstract: There is provided a method including: combining storage pond tailings with a heated tailings stream to form a tailings mixture, the storage pond tailings having a temperature and a solids content and the tailings mixture having a resulting solids content less than the solids content of the storage pond tailings; and treating the tailings mixture to recover bitumen therefrom.

Abstract: A method of converting carbon containing compounds such as coal, methane or other hydrocarbons into a liquid hydrocarbon fuel utilizes a high pressure, high temperature reactor which operates upon a blend of a carbon compound including CO2 and a carbon source, a catalyst, and steam. Microwave power is directed into the reactor. The catalyst, preferably magnetite, will act as a heating media for the microwave power and the temperature of the reactor will rise to a level to efficiently convert the carbon and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the froth quality, improving vessel operability and increasing the froth temperature from an oil sand slurry in a primary separation vessel is provided, comprising introducing the oil sand slurry into a separation vessel; retaining the oil sand slurry within the separation vessel so that separate layers of bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings are formed; introducing sufficient heated water having a temperature greater than about 80° C. as an evenly distributed underwash layer beneath the bitumen froth layer; and separately removing the bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings from the separation vessel.

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: 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: A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided.

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: 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 the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride comprised of at least one chemical element selected from Groups 3-11 (including the lanthanides, atomic numbers 58 to 71), and at least one chemical element selected from Groups 13-15 from the IUPAC Periodic Table of Elements. These interstitial metal hydrides, their catalysts and processes using these interstitial metal hydrides and catalysts of the present invention improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.

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: This is a method to reactively refine hydrocarbons, such as heavy oils with API gravities of less than 20° and bitumen-like hydrocarbons with viscosities greater than 1000 cp at standard temperature and pressure using a selected fluid at supercritical conditions. The reaction portion of the method delivers lighter weight, more volatile hydrocarbons to an attached contacting device that operates in mixed subcritical or supercritical modes. This separates the reaction products into portions that are viable for use or sale without further conventional refining and hydro-processing techniques. This method produces valuable products with fewer processing steps, lower costs, increased worker safety due to less processing and handling, allow greater opportunity for new oil field development and subsequent positive economic impact, reduce related carbon dioxide, and wastes typical with conventional refineries.

Abstract: Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The method can include the steps of adding a first quantity of first solvent to a bitumen material to form a first mixture, separating a first quantity of bitumen-enriched solvent from the first mixture and thereby creating first solvent-wet tailings, adding a quantity of second solvent to first solvent-wet tailings to separate a first quantity of first solvent component from the first solvent-wet tailings and thereby producing second solvent-wet tailings, and adding a quantity of water to the second solvent-wet tailings to separate a first quantity of second solvent component from the second solvent-wet tailings and thereby forming solvent-dry, stackable tailings.

Abstract: A method and a device for carrying out the method for extracting hydrocarbons from oil sand uses organic extractants and a filter apparatus with a continuous rotary filter as well as a steaming unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving a heavy hydrocarbon, such as mined bitumen, to a lighter more fluid product and, more specifically, to a hydrocarbon product that is refinery-ready and that meets pipeline transport criteria without requiring the addition of diluent. The invention is suitable for enhancing recovery from mined Canadian bitumen, but has general application for processing any heavy hydrocarbon, converting the heavy hydrocarbon to a product that is more suitable for pipeline transport.

Abstract: A system and method for treating tailings from a bitumen froth treatment process such as TSRU tailings. The tailings are dewatered to at least 50 wt percent solids content, and then combusted to convert kaolin in the tailings into metakaolin. Calcined fines and heavy minerals may be recovered from the combustion products, namely from the flue gas or bottom ash or both. A trafficable deposit may be formed from the ash when mixed with tailings, such as mature fine tailings (MFT).

Abstract: A bitumen stream is upgraded by heating to near-critical or super-critical conditions in the stream. The bitumen stream may be from a water-based extraction process, an in situ bitumen recovery process, or a solvent-based bitumen extraction process. To achieve an appropriate feed stream composition, water and/or clay may be added. The clay offers a catalytic effect. To achieve an appropriate feed stream composition, water may alternatively be removed.

Abstract: A process of dewatering tailings is provided comprising mixing the tailings with a sufficient amount of an additive or a mixture thereof; depositing the resulting mixture into a disposal area; pumping water from the deposit to one or more sumps, and allowing the deposit to reach a sufficient strength; and removing remaining deposit water and rainfall through one or more of a network of ditches, a decant tower, or a plurality of dike drainage structures to yield a non-segregating deposit for reclamation.

Abstract: A method of produced water treatment in an in-situ recovery method of producing bitumen from oil sand, the method has the steps of: separating bitumen from bitumen-mixed fluid so as to leave produced water, the bitumen-mixed fluid having been recovered from the oil sand wells; and filtering the produced water via a microfiltration membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: The invention provides the activation, refining and stabilization of oil shale. The stabilization may be performed by recirculative extraction, the activation by electromagnetic irradiation, steam, or by an inorganic base, and the refining by ion beam irradiation. The thus processed oil shale may be used to adsorb organic and inorganic contaminants from a variety of materials include materials of vegetable origin.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a method for improving the froth quality and bitumen recovery in primary bitumen extraction processes by coagulant addition in the underwash feed water. Preferred coagulants are cationic or amphoteric polymers. Coagulant addition in the underwash feed water reduces the solids content reporting to the primary bitumen froth in a primary separation vessel (PSC). This treatment program can also be combined with dispersant addition in the dilution make-up feed water into a PSC. Preferred dispersants are low molecular weight anionic polymers.

Abstract: A process for bitumen extraction from hydrocarbonaceous solids, such as tar sand or oil shale, is performed in fluidized bed of a swirl reactor. This provides active interaction of three phases: 1) liquid phase—bituminous oil with solvent; 2) solid phase—sand grains, clay; 3) gaseous phase—steam and gasses. The process also involves the step of pressure decrease inside the reactor to activate a gas desorption dissolved in bituminous sand mixture. The process of separation of the bitumen and sand combines centrifuging and discharging individual products for further processing.

Abstract: A process of extracting bitumen from oil sand ores having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content higher than about 6% is provided, comprising: determining a dosage (wt %) of caustic necessary to yield a desired primary bitumen recovery; determining an amount of caustic (wt %) and an amount of sodium triphosphate (wt %) which yields substantially the same desired primary bitumen recovery or greater as the dosage of caustic (wt %) alone; mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to produce an oil sand slurry; and adding the amounts of caustic (wt %) and sodium triphosphate (wt %) before, during or after mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to condition the oil sand slurry and to improve bitumen recovery from the oil sand ore; whereby the sum of the amounts of caustic (wt %) and sodium triphosphate (wt %) is substantially equal to the dosage of caustic (wt %) alone.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus of removing contaminants such as salts, hydrocarbon, chemicals, minerals, and metals from materials such as sand, soil, gravel, drill cuttings, and other solids, and reclaiming contaminants and materials for reuse. The invention is scalable in size and capability, economic to construct and operate and reliable in operation and performance. The invention slurries contaminated material with a solution. Transports the slurried material throughout a hydraulic chamber, where the contaminants become more associated with the solution than the material. The invention then separates the processed material and contaminated solution into unique reclaimed components.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for extracting bitumen from oil sands at ambient or subambient temperature, for example at temperatures between 0 degrees Centigrade and about 20 degrees Centigrade. The process includes the steps of forming a slurry by mixing the oil sands with water, adding an extractant to the slurry, agitating the extractant with the slurry, and collecting bitumen that separates from the slurry.

Abstract: A process of extracting bitumen from oil sand ores having a fines content up to about 60% and a bitumen content greater than 6% is provided, comprising: determining the fines content and the bitumen content of the oil sand ore; calculating a sufficient amount of caustic to be added in the process using an equation based on the ratio of the fines content to the bitumen content; mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to produce an oil sand slurry; and adding the sufficient amount of caustic before, during or after mixing the oil sand ore with heated water to condition the oil sand slurry and to improve bitumen recovery from the oil sand ore.

Abstract: An improved system for removing bitumen from tar sands comprises a pre-treatment system utilizing a vibratory load hopper for classifying and sizing said tar sand particles communicating with a dryer for heating and drying said tar sand particles to a predetermined temperature thereby controlling the moisture content of said tar sands. An extraction system is also included for accepting said tar sands from the dryer comprising a plurality of extraction vessels arranged in series for transporting said tar sands from a first extraction vessel to a final extraction vessel. Furthermore, a solvent system for supplying a predetermined volume of solvent flow through said extraction vessels is employed, whereby solvent is supplied to the last extraction vessel and a solvent and bitumen mixture is withdrawn from the first extraction vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

Abstract: Oil sands ore containing bitumen is treated in a reactor chamber by ultrasonic oscillations impact such that cavitation of ore molecules occurs. The disintegration of the pulsating bubbles in the cavitation results in the separation of the oil, water, sand and air fractions of the oil sands. The oil fraction may be continuously extracted for subsequent refining processes.

Abstract: A heat and water integration process for an oil sands operation includes subjecting warm oil sands tailings to thickening to produce thickened tailings and warm water overflow; subjecting the warm water overflow to direct steam injection (DSI) to produce steam heated thickener water; providing the steam heated thickener water to a unit of the oil sand operation; and producing the warm oil sands tailings from the oil sands operation. The oil sand operation unit may be an oil sand ore preparation unit and/or a primary separation unit, for example. The heated thickener water can replace water taken from pond inventories. The DSI may use excess, low quality, wet, low pressure and/or blow-down steam. The process enables improved heat and water usage in oil sands processing.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the froth quality, improving vessel operability and increasing the froth temperature from an oil sand slurry in a primary separation vessel is provided, comprising introducing the oil sand slurry into a separation vessel; retaining the oil sand slurry within the separation vessel so that separate layers of bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings are formed; introducing sufficient heated water having a temperature greater than about 80° C. as an evenly distributed underwash layer beneath the bitumen froth layer; and separately removing the bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings from the separation vessel.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system.