Processing aids for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from oil sands, oil shale and other petroleum residues

a technology of processing aids and hydrocarbon recovery, which is applied in the field of recovery of hydrocarbons from tar sands, oil shale and other petroleum residues, can solve the problems of complex process of separating bitumen from sand, clay and water, increasing the loss of bitumen to waste streams, and reducing the yield of bitumen

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-09-08
THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIV OF ALBERTA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the process of separating bitumen from sand, clay, and water is complicated by variations in the composition of the oil sand deposits.
In fact, various oil sands have been classified as “problem ores” or “poor processing ores” while others are referred to as “good processing ores.” Problem ores, such as transition ores, oxidized ores, “type-X” ores and those having high fines or clays, bring about reduced bitumen yield o

Method used

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  • Processing aids for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from oil sands, oil shale and other petroleum residues
  • Processing aids for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from oil sands, oil shale and other petroleum residues
  • Processing aids for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from oil sands, oil shale and other petroleum residues

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

Bitumen Yields Using a Polymeric Hydrolysed Polyacrylamide Processing Aid

[0079] Bitumen extraction experiments were conducted in a laboratory hydrotransport extraction system capable of simulating commercial production conditions. Two CCD (charge coupled device) cameras were used for on-line monitoring of bitumen liberation and bubble surface loading, respectively, and a computer automatically recorded the signals.

[0080] Samples of oil sands, called transition ore that is one of poor processing ores, and Aurora recycle process water were obtained from an Aurora commercial plant operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. The bulk ore sample was homogenized, packed in 600 g plastic bags and stored in a freezer at −29° C. to prevent oxidation. This ore sample consisted of 9.2 wt % bitumen, 7.3 wt % water and 83.5 wt % solids. The solids contain 33% clay fines (less than 44 um in size). The water used for the bitumen extraction experiments is called Aurora process water. Atomic absorption spect...

example 2

Tailings Settling Using a Polymeric Hydrolysed Polyacrylamide Processing Aid

[0088] Tailings samples taken directly from the bitumen extraction experiments of Example 1, with or without chemical addition, were used to conduct settling tests in closed cylinders. The descent of the solid / solution interface (mud line) was recorded as a function of time. A plot of the thickness of the supernatant layer versus time was used to determine the initial settling rate from the slope of the initial linear portion of the plot.

[0089] A Nanoscope E atomic force microscope (AFM) with a fluid cell was used for the surface force measurements. Force measurements were performed in the fluid cell where a colloidal probe (a silica sphere or a clay fine particle) interacted with a flat silica plate or a bitumen surface in various tailings waters taken from bitumen extraction experiments as soon as a clean layer of water was available. All force measurements were conducted after an incubation time of 30 m...

example 3

Effect of a Polymeric Hydrolysed Polyacrylamide Processing Aid on the Concentration of Divalent Cations in Process Water

[0091] A sample of Aurora process water at a pH of 8.5 was obtained and divided into four equal aliquots. Three of the aliquots received a treatment with HPAM at dosages of 15, 45 and 150 mg / L, respectively. The fourth aliquot was not treated. The concentrations of calcium ions (Ca++) and magnesium ions (Mg++) in each of the aliquots were measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and the results are plotted in the graph of FIG. 5. The untreated aliquot showed that the process water had initial calcium and magnesium ion concentrations of 39 ppm and 13 ppm, respectively. The treated aliquots showed a linear reduction of both calcium and magnesium ions with increasing HPAM concentration over the range investigated. The reduction of calcium and magnesium ion concentrations indicates ion intake by HPAM. It is believed that this ion absorption not only improves b...

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Abstract

A method of improving hydrocarbon recovery from oil sands, oil shale, and petroleum residues includes adding a polymeric or nonpolymeric processing aid capable of sequestering cations, such as the multivalent calcium, magnesium and iron cations. The hydrocarbons are preferably contacted with the processing aid before a primary separation of the hydrocarbons in order to increase bitumen recovery. A processing aid is provided in an effective amount to increase the liberation of the hydrocarbons from inorganic solids, particularly when the source is a poor processing ore. Preferred processing aids include citric acid or a polymeric acid selected from polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, salts of these acids, partial salts of these acids, and combinations thereof. The processing aids significantly increase the hydrocarbon recovery typically with concentrations less than 50 ppm and the polymeric processing aids can also provide beneficial flocculation of solids in tailings slurry.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional applications 60 / 505,083 filed on Sep. 22, 2003 and 60 / 604,212 filed on Aug. 25, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the recovery of hydrocarbons from tar sands, oil shale and other petroleum residues. The invention also relates to the settling of solids from the tailings slurry of a hydrocarbon recovery process. More specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods for improving the recovery of hydrocarbons and, in some cases, also the settling of solids in the tailings. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The Athasbasca Oil Sands Deposit is, by itself, the largest petroleum resource in the world. These oil sands or tar sands are located in northwestern Alberta, Canada and represent the equivalent of roughly 1.6 to 2.7 trillion barrels of oil. Oil sand is visible on the banks of the Athabasca River, north and south of Fort McM...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C10G1/04C10G33/04
CPCC10G33/04C10G1/047
Inventor BEETGE, JAN HENDRIKKASONGO, TSHITENDEKOMISHKE, BRADLEY D.LI, HAIHONGLONG, JUNMASLIYAH, JACOB H.VENTER, PETRUS JOHANNESWANG, SANYIXU, ZHENGHE
Owner THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIV OF ALBERTA
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