System and method of separating bitumen from tar sands

Details System and method of separating bitumen from tar sands System and method of separating bitumen from tar sands

2011-07-26

2011-07-26

Griffin, Walter (Department: 1774)

Mineral oils: processes and products

Tar sand treatment with liquid

C208S045000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07985333

ABSTRACT:
Various methods and systems for obtaining bitumen from tar sands are disclosed. The disclosed methods and/or systems can be used to economically achieve a high degree of bitumen recovery from tar sands. The method may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from the tar sands and results in a bitumen-enriched component and a bitumen-depleted component. The bitumen-enriched component includes mainly solvent and bitumen. The bitumen-depleted component includes mainly water and mineral solids with some residual bitumen and solvent. The bitumen-depleted component may be mixed with liquefied petroleum gas, e.g., propane and/or butane, to further separate the residual solvent and bitumen. The disclosed system can include separators configured to separate the various components at the various stages in the process.

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