Alkanolamine and Glycol Ether Bitumen Extraction Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for bitumen recovery from oil sands, such as surface mining and in situ techniques, face challenges due to the viscous nature of bitumen, leading to inefficiencies, high energy consumption, environmental concerns, and safety hazards, particularly with the use of large amounts of steam and caustic substances.
Innovation Solution
The use of a composition comprising an alkanolamine and an ethylene oxide capped glycol ether as an extraction aid in the water and/or steam used in the bitumen recovery process, which is added to the oil sands during surface mining or injected into the reservoir during in situ production to enhance bitumen separation and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large amounts of steam are used in in situ techniques to recover bitumen from deeper oil sands, then bitumen can be heated and extracted, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chemical composition (surfactant and solvent mixture) as an intermediary substance that facilitates bitumen extraction. This composition acts as a mediator between the steam/water and bitumen, reducing the reliance on excessive steam heating and enabling more efficient extraction at lower energy inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by adding specific surfactants and solvents. These parameter changes allow the system to extract bitumen more effectively at lower temperatures, thereby reducing the energy required for steam generation and injection.
2Productivity
If large amounts of water are used in surface mining extraction processes, then bitumen can be separated from oil sands, but environmental impact and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by introducing specific surfactants and solvents that enhance bitumen separation efficiency. This allows for reduced water usage while maintaining effective extraction, thereby minimizing environmental impact and disposal requirements.
3Productivity
If caustic substances like sodium hydroxide are used in surface mining to release bitumen, then extraction efficiency improves, but safety hazards and formation of fine clay particles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters by replacing caustic substances with a surfactant-solvent composition. This substitution maintains effective bitumen release while eliminating the safety hazards associated with handling concentrated caustic and reducing the formation of problematic fine clay particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant-solvent composition serves as an intermediary that facilitates bitumen release without requiring aggressive caustic substances. This mediator approach achieves extraction efficiency while avoiding the harmful effects of caustic handling and clay particle formation.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional water or steam is used for bitumen extraction, then the process is simple, but extraction efficiency is insufficient for viscous bitumen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite extraction system combining surfactants and solvents in specific ratios. This composite material approach enhances extraction efficiency for viscous bitumen while maintaining relative process simplicity, as the composition is mixed with conventional water or steam in an straightforward manner.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves bitumen recovery efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes environmental impact by facilitating easier separation and processing, while maintaining operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
an improved method for bitumen recovery from oil sands through either surface mining or in situ recovery... use of a composition including an alkanolamine and an ethylene oxide capped glycol ether as an extraction aid
Implementation Method 2
the slurry is agitated and the water and NaOH releases the bitumen from the oil sands
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relates to a bitumen recovery process from oil sands. The oil sands may be surface mined and transported to a treatment area or may be treated directly by means of an in situ process of oil sand deposits that are located too deep for strip mining. Specifically, the present invention involves the step of treating oil sands with a composition comprising an alkanolamine and an ethylene oxide capped glycol ether.