High temperature froth underwash in an oil sand bitumen extraction separation vessel

摘要

A process for enhancing the froth quality, improving vessel operability and increasing the froth temperature from an oil sand slurry in a primary separation vessel is provided, comprising introducing the oil sand slurry into a separation vessel; retaining the oil sand slurry within the separation vessel so that separate layers of bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings are formed; introducing sufficient heated water having a temperature greater than about 80° C. as an evenly distributed underwash layer beneath the bitumen froth layer; and separately removing the bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings from the separation vessel.

主权项

1. A process for producing a bitumen froth having reduced solids and water from an oil sand slurry, comprising:
a) introducing the oil sand slurry into a separation vessel operated under quiescent conditions; b) retaining the oil sand slurry within the separation vessel so that separate layers of bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings are formed; c) introducing sufficient heated water having a temperature greater than about 80° C. and forming a stable, evenly distributed underwash layer between the bitumen froth layer and the middlings; and d) separately removing the bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings from the separation vessel; wherein the heated water is introduced into the vessel at a heated water to oil sand ratio of about 0.04:1 to about 0.1:1 by weight.