METHOD FOR SEPARATING A BITUMEN FROTH INTO MALTENES AND ASPHALTENES ENRICHED FRACTIONS

摘要

In an oil sand processing plant, in which produced oil sand is mixed with a solvent, water and air to produce a bitumen froth, separation of the froth into maltenes and asphaltenes enriched fractions is enhanced by: adding a paraffinic solvent in an incremental manner to the froth; separating the froth/solvent mixture in a settler in an overflow fraction, which is enriched in maltenes and paraffinic solvent, and an underflow fraction which is enriched in asphaltenes, water and solids; discharging the overflow fraction from an upper region of the settler; and discharging the underflow fraction from a lower region of the settler.