Ionic Liquid Bitumen Separation from Oilsand Tailings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of bitumen from oilsand tailings, particularly the removal of fine clay particles from aqueous suspensions, is inefficient, leading to prolonged water recycling times and environmental challenges in tailings ponds.
Innovation Solution
The use of specific ionic liquids, such as octylammonium oleate, to treat oilsand liquid waste streams, facilitating the separation of bitumen and clay particles by forming a stable IL-dilbit phase with low vapor pressure and density, and miscible displacement of oil from porous mineral reservoirs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional gravity settling is used to separate clay particles from water in tailings, then the separation process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the settling time is extremely prolonged (many years) and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ionic liquids as an intermediary substance to facilitate the separation of clay particles from water. The ionic liquid modifies the surface properties of clay particles, causing them to aggregate and settle much faster than through gravity alone. This mediator enables the system to achieve rapid separation without requiring complex equipment or extending processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the system by adding ionic liquids that alter the surface charge and hydrophobicity of clay particles. This parameter change transforms the colloidal stability of the tailings suspension, causing particles to flocculate and settle rapidly. The ionic liquid concentration and type are optimized to achieve maximum settling speed while minimizing water recycling time.
2Productivity
If ionic liquids are used to separate bitumen from oilsand tailings, then separation efficiency is enhanced and water usage is reduced, but the process complexity increases due to the need for selective ionic liquid selection and phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting ionic liquids with specific properties (hydrophobicity, cation type, anion type) that selectively interact with bitumen versus clay particles. By adjusting parameters such as ionic liquid concentration, temperature, and pH, the process achieves efficient bitumen separation while maintaining manageable operational complexity. The selective interaction is driven by changes in solubility parameters and surface tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different ionic liquids for different separation objectives: hydrophobic ionic liquids for bitumen separation and specific cationic ionic liquids for clay aggregation. Each ionic liquid is selected for its localized chemical properties that match the target contaminant, enabling efficient separation without requiring a single complex multi-functional agent.
3Ease of operation
If fine clay particles remain dispersed in aqueous suspensions, then the tailings can be easily handled and transported, but the water cannot be recycled and environmental challenges arise in tailings ponds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ionic liquids as intermediaries to bridge the contradiction between ease of handling and water recyclability. The ionic liquid is added to the tailings suspension to induce clay particle aggregation, which then settles rapidly. This allows the supernatant water to be clarified and recycled, while the settled clay can be handled as a concentrated slurry. The ionic liquid enables both objectives to be achieved sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tailings treatment process into distinct stages: first, ionic liquid addition to aggregate clay particles; second, rapid settling to separate solids from liquids; third, water decanting and recycling; and fourth, further processing of the concentrated clay slurry. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving both ease of operation and water recyclability.
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
Enhances the separation efficiency of bitumen from oilsand tailings, reduces water usage, and accelerates the settling of clay particles, thereby improving the recycling of water and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the bitumen is extracted into a phase comprising a mixture of the ionic liquid and bitumen
Implementation Method 2
separating the IL/MFT phase into two phases, a first phase comprising the clay particles, bitumen contaminants and the IL, and a second aqueous phase
Implementation Method 3
certain ILs have a high propensity for the removal of fine clay particles from aqueous suspensions
Implementation Method 4
The fine tailings are deposited into tailings ponds to be separated by gravity settling
Data Source
AI summary
In alternative aspects, the invention provides process for the use of ionic liquids in the remediation and amelioration of oilsand materials, including treatment of tailings products including but not limited to mature fine tailings (MFT), separation of bitumen from oilsand, bitumen transportation, remediation of spilled bitumen and dilbit, treatment (breakage) of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and heavy oil emulsions solids removal from oil processing streams, in-situ bitumen recovery, in-situ extraction from mineral reservoirs, production well chemicals, CO2 sequestration and tracking fluids.