Propylene Oxide Capped Glycol Ether Bitumen Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for bitumen recovery from oil sands, such as surface mining and in situ recovery, are inefficient, costly, and environmentally problematic due to the viscous nature of bitumen, requiring large amounts of energy and water, and resulting in low recovery rates and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
The use of propylene oxide capped glycol ethers as an extraction aid in the water and/or steam used in bitumen recovery processes, either through surface mining or in situ methods, to reduce bitumen viscosity and enhance separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional water or steam is used for bitumen extraction, then the extraction process can be performed, but the bitumen viscosity remains high resulting in low recovery rates and high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the extraction medium by introducing propylene oxide capped glycol ethers. These compounds modify the physical-chemical parameters of the bitumen-extraction system, reducing bitumen viscosity and improving recovery rates while lowering energy requirements for heating and pumping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite extraction systems combining water or steam with propylene oxide capped glycol ethers. This composite approach leverages the solvating properties of the glycol ether compounds to enhance bitumen mobilization beyond what conventional water or steam alone can achieve, thereby improving productivity and reducing energy consumption.
2Productivity
If large amounts of water and energy are used in conventional extraction methods, then bitumen can be recovered, but the process becomes costly and environmentally harmful
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the chemical composition of the extraction medium to include propylene oxide capped glycol ethers, the patent reduces the quantity of water required for effective extraction. This parameter change also reduces the environmental footprint by minimizing water consumption and associated disposal issues while maintaining or improving recovery rates.
3Productivity
If traditional solvents like hydrocarbon solvents are used, then bitumen extraction can be enhanced, but the process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex hydrocarbon solvent systems with propylene oxide capped glycol ethers, which achieve similar or superior extraction efficiency through different chemical mechanisms. This simplifies the overall process by reducing the number of solvent handling steps, separation requirements, and associated equipment complexity while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
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 rates, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes environmental impact by effectively lowering the viscosity of bitumen, thereby increasing the efficiency and safety of the extraction process.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a propylene oxide capped glycol ether in the water and/or steam used in the bitumen recovery process improves bitumen recovery rates by lowering the viscosity of the bitumen
Implementation Method 2
Steam is injected into the well at a temperature of 250° C. to 400° C. The steam rises and heats the bitumen, decreasing its viscosity
Implementation Method 3
The use of a propylene oxide capped glycol ether in the water and/or steam used in the bitumen recovery process improves bitumen recovery rates by lowering the viscosity of the bitumen and enhancing the separation of the bitumen from the oil sands
Data Source
AI summary
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. A bitumen recovery process may be used to extract bitumen from oil sands. Specifically, the bitumen recover process involves a step of treating oil sands with a propylene oxide capped glycol ether described by the structure:RO—(C2H4O)n—CH2CH(CH3)OHwherein R is a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, phenyl, alkyl phenyl group and n is 1 to 10.