Abstract

A method for reducing rag layer volume in a stationary bitumen froth treatment process is provided, comprising subjecting dilfroth having a naphtha diluent to bitumen ratio of about 0.7 to gravity settling in a splitter vessel to produce an overflow stream of raw dilbit and an underflow stream of splitter tails; mixing the splitter tails with a naphtha diluent to give a mixture having a naphtha diluent to bitumen ratio of less than about 6:1 in a scrubber feed tank; and subjecting the mixture to gravity settling and agitation in a scrubber vessel to produce an overhead stream of scrubber hydrocarbons and an underflow stream of scrubber tails.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10G 1/04 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by extraction
• C10C 3/08 - Working-up pitch, asphalt, bitumen by selective extraction

Abstract

A method for extracting hydrocarbons from a poor processing bitumen froth is provided comprising subjecting a bitumen, solids and water slurry to flotation in a flotation device to produce the poor processing bitumen froth; optionally subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to centrifugation to remove a portion of the water from the poor processing bitumen froth; and subjecting the poor processing bitumen froth to supercritical extraction in a pressure vessel using a supercritical fluid to produce a hydrocarbon stream suitable for further upgrading.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10C 3/08 - Working-up pitch, asphalt, bitumen by selective extraction
• C10G 1/04 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by extraction

Abstract

In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a part for a centrifugal slurry pump is provided, comprising: forming a skeleton of the part having an outer dimension smaller than the part; placing the skeleton of the part in a metal enclosure having an interior dimension larger than the outer dimension of the skeleton of the part and thereby forming a space; adding a metal matrix composite powder into the metal enclosure to fill the space; and subjecting the metal enclosure to hot isostatic pressing, thereby allowing bonding of the metal matrix composite to the skeleton of the part to form the part.

IPC Classes  ?

• B22F 7/06 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite workpieces or articles from parts, e.g. to form tipped tools
• B22F 3/15 - Hot isostatic pressing
• F04D 7/06 - Pumps adapted for handling specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts of centrifugal type the fluids being hot or corrosive, e.g. liquid metal
• F04D 29/22 - Rotors specially for centrifugal pumps
• F04D 29/42 - Casings; Connections for working fluid for radial or helico-centrifugal pumps

Abstract

A process for recovering solvent from spent oil sands solids is provided, comprising drying the solids using superheated steam to vaporize solvent and water; compressing and condensing the vapors in a first heat exchanger (hot side) to produce condensates, comprising primarily condensed hot water, end uncondensed vapors; separating condensed hot water and solvent from the uncondensed vapors in a first separator; flowing the hot water through the first heat exchanger (cold side) to produce near-saturated steam; and superheating the near-saturated steam in a second heat exchanger to produce the superheated steam for drying the solids. Uncondensed vapors from the first separator can be further condensed in a third heat exchanger to produce warm water, recovered solvent and uncondensed off gas, which can be separated in a second separator. Some of the warm water is combined with the hot water to produce the near-saturated steam for superheating. The off gas is oil scrubbed or combusted prior to release to the atmosphere.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10G 1/04 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by extraction

Abstract

A improved impeller for use in a centrifugal slurry pump is provided, comprising: a top shroud; a bottom shroud; and a middle portion therebetween, said middle portion having at least one substantially vertical wall defining a slurry flow channel, wherein the top shroud, bottom shroud and middle portion are configured as one piece to together define a first unitary body; at least one vane nose positioned at a leading edge of the at least one substantially vertical wall; and, optionally, a retaining ring mounted over the top shroud to secure the vane nose within the body.

IPC Classes  ?

• F04D 29/22 - Rotors specially for centrifugal pumps
• F04D 7/06 - Pumps adapted for handling specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts of centrifugal type the fluids being hot or corrosive, e.g. liquid metal
• F04D 29/24 - Vanes

Abstract

A process for reducing segregation of mining tailings while being deposited below the surface of a column of fluid is provided which comprises introducing the mining tailings into a downpipe having an inlet at or near the surface of the column of fluid and an outlet submerged in the column of fluid; providing at least one pressure drop element in the downpipe to prevent acceleration of the mining tailings and maintain the tailings flow therethrough; and providing a diffusing device at the outlet of the downpipe to reduce the velocity of the mining tailings as the tailings are discharged therefrom.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03B 9/02 - General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for oil-sand, oil-chalk, oil-shales, ozokerite, bitumen, or the like

Abstract

A process of dewatering tailings such as fluid fine tailings from oil sand extraction is provided comprising mixing the tailings with a sufficient amount of an additive comprising at least one multivalent cation, each multivalent cation being in an amount ranging from about 0.125 % to about 0.25 % and higher, up to or greater than the solubility limit of the at least one multivalent cation, and depositing the resulting mixture into a containment area to yield a non- segregating, rapidly cracking and dewatering deposit for reclamation and recycle water which can optionally be used in an oil sand bitumen extraction process.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03B 9/02 - General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for oil-sand, oil-chalk, oil-shales, ozokerite, bitumen, or the like

Abstract

A process for the disposal of oil sands tailings is provided, comprising: optionally diluting the tailings with sufficient water to yield a tailings feed having a solids content in the range of about 18 wt% to about 36 wt%; adding one or both of a coagulant and a flocculant to the tailings feed to form a centrifuge feed; centrifuging the centrifuge feed to produce a centrifuge cake having a solids content of at least about 50% and a centrate having a solids content of less than about 3 wt%; and introducing the centrifuge cake into an overburden containment structure comprised of oil sand overburden, said overburden containment structure comprising a least one trench for holding the centrifuge cake, or into a deep disposal site for additional dewatering of the centrifuge cake through self-weight consolidation and creep.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03B 9/02 - General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for oil-sand, oil-chalk, oil-shales, ozokerite, bitumen, or the like
• B01D 21/01 - Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation using flocculating agents
• B01D 21/06 - Settling tanks with moving scrapers with rotating scrapers
• B09B 1/00 - Dumping solid waste

Abstract

A process for flocculating and dewatering oil sands fine tailings is provided, comprising: adding the oil sands fine tailings as an aqueous slurry to a stirred tank reactor; adding an effective amount of a polymeric flocculant to the stirred tank reactor containing the oil sands fine tailings and operating the reactor at an impeller tip speed for a period of time that is sufficient to form a gel-like structure; subjecting the gel-like structure to shear conditions in the stirred tank reactor for a period of time sufficient to break down the gel-like structure to form flocs and release water; and removing the flocculated oil sands fine tailings from the stirred tank reactor when the maximum yield stress of the flocculated oil sands fine tailings begins to decline but before the capillary suction time of the flocculated oil sands fine tailings begins to substantially increase from its lowest point.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03B 9/02 - General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for oil-sand, oil-chalk, oil-shales, ozokerite, bitumen, or the like
• B01D 21/01 - Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation using flocculating agents
• B01D 21/28 - Mechanical auxiliary equipment for acceleration of sedimentation, e.g. by vibrators or the like
• B01D 43/00 - Separating particles from liquids, or liquids from solids, otherwise than by sedimentation or filtration
• B03D 1/10 - Removing adhering liquid from separated materials
• B03D 3/06 - Flocculation
• C10G 1/04 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by extraction