THICKENING TREATMENT OF OIL SANDS TAILINGS INCLUDING ASPHALTENES

摘要

Techniques for treating oil sands tailings containing water, mineral solids and bitumen comprising asphaltenes, can include the steps of introducing the tailings into a thickener vessel; withdrawing an underflow component from a lower level of the thickener vessel; withdrawing a clarified overflow component from an intermediate level of the thickener vessel; and withdrawing an unclarified overflow component from an upper level of the thickener vessel. The thickener can have a sidewall defining lower, intermediate and upper levels of the vessel; a feedwell; an underflow outlet at the lower level; a clarified overflow outlet at the intermediate level; and an unclarified overflow outlet at the upper level.