Compositions and methods for extracting hydrocarbons from oil sands

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-02-28
KELLER BRIAN
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0031] An additional advantage of the invention is that the flowable PEG lipid-bitumen combination is more easily transportable than bitumen extracted by current means.
[0032] After a single extraction, some bitumen remains with the clay and sand fractions. Additional hydrocarbons may be extracted by further PEG lipid treatment. Such treatment may be done in steps or continuously.
[0033] As a final step, the addition of ambient temperature water to the mixture of liquid will wash the sand and clay of remaining PEG lipid and most of the bitumen. As water is added the PEG lipid forms nano-sized vesicles. As the vesicles form they encapsulate the lipid soluble bitumen in the interior of the vesicles and remove the bitumen from the pores of the sand particles. The vesicle/water/bitumen fraction is pumped to a processing station to distill off the water.
[0034] Mixing and/or heating enhance the rate

Problems solved by technology

The environmental and health effects of the average 3,000 oil spills annually worldwide have untoward consequences.
At the same time, it is both greasy and grainy to the touch.
However, in the Northern Canadian oil sand fields it is trapped in the sand and clay an

Method used

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  • Compositions and methods for extracting hydrocarbons from oil sands
  • Compositions and methods for extracting hydrocarbons from oil sands

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

Entrapment and Dispersion of Oil in Water

[0056] HD 30 motor oil was added to water. Then PEG-12 GDO was added in a 1:4 ratio (oil:PEG-12 GDO). An opaque white suspension formed which showed liposomes when examined under a light microscope at 600×. The oil was entrapped and dispersed in the suspension.

example 2

Cleaning an Environmental Oil Spill (Predictive)

[0057] A large quantity of medium weight crude oil is spilled from a ruptured tanker and the oil washes onto a coastal area. The water temperature is 45 degrees C. and the air temperature is 50 degrees. The beach is sprayed with diacyl lipid-PEGs to disperse the oil, thereby forming liposomes.

example 3

Recovery of Hydrocarbons from Oil Sand

[0058] These experiments were conducted at room temperature, about 22° C.

[0059] The objective of this experiment was to test various non-toxic solvents for their ability to release bitumen from Canadian oil-sand.

[0060] The goal of this experiment was to find the relative solvent capability of various solvents and compare them to identify the best solvents for the purpose of releasing bitumen from oil-sand at low energy expense and decreased green-house gas release.

[0061] Table 1 lists the solvents tested. All solvents were fluids at ambient temperature. A weighed amount of each solvent (between 15 grams and 35 grams) was put into a Pyrex mortar and pestle. An equal amount of Canadian oil-sand was weighed and put into the solvent. The 1:1 mixture was left to stand for 10 minutes then triturated for 2 minutes and left to stand for 10 minutes. Solubility was graded by observation of the color of the liquid which correlates to the amount of bitu...

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PUM

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Abstract

PEG lipids are used to extract hydrocarbons from oil sands. At ambient temperatures the PEG lipids combine with bitumen onto a flowable form, which is easily transportable by pipeline. The process results in the release of less carbon dioxide than conventional extraction processes.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 840,789 entitled “Nanotechnology for spilled oil encapsulation, remediation and recovery” filed Aug. 28, 2006.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to cleaning oil contaminations and to extracting hydrocarbons from oil sands. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Part A: Oil Contamination [0003] The environmental and health effects of the average 3,000 oil spills annually worldwide have untoward consequences. An environmentally friendly solution to clean up these spills could have tremendous value to both the geographic region and the biological habitat where the spill occurs. A non-toxic, nano-scale solution to cleaning up petroleum spills both on land and in water is described. Part B: Extraction of Hydrocarbons from Oil Sands [0004] Oils sands contain a large amount of the world's potential oil reserves. Oil-sand, also called tar sand, is an earthy, dark gray s...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C10G1/04
CPCC10G1/04Y02P30/00
Inventor KELLER, BRIAN
Owner KELLER BRIAN
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