Process for extracting hydrocarbons from diatomite

摘要

An improved process for extracting hydrocarbons from a diatomite ore which comprises the combination of the steps of: a) Reducing the particle size of the ore to form a processed ore; b) Grinding the processed ore in an enclosed pin mixer to form pelletized ore; c) Feeding the pellets into each section of a ROTOCEL TM extractor unit containing 5-8 sections or baskets to form columns of pelletized ore; d) Distributing a solvent from the top of each column of the ROTOCEL TM extractor and allowing the solvent to permeate the pelletized ore column to form a hydrocarbon-rich solvent stream while leaving behind spent ore mixture; e) Separating extracting solvent from the hydrocarbon solvent stream to form a hydrocarbon product stream and an extracting solvent stream; f) Removing the spent ore mixture from the extracting zone; g) Recycling the extracting solvent; and h) Recovering the hydrocarbon product.