METHOD FOR REMOVING FINE SOLIDS FROM AN AQUEOUS BITUMEN-CONTAINING STREAM

摘要

The present invention provides a method for removing fine solids from an aqueous bitumen-containing stream, in particular from an aqueous bitumen-containing stream as obtained during an oil sands extraction process, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous bitumen-containing stream; (b) subjecting the aqueous bitumen-containing stream to membrane separation using a ceramic membrane, thereby obtaining a bitumen-depleted permeate stream and a bitumen-enriched retentate stream.