HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM OIL SAND

摘要

This invention provides a process for producing a crude oil composition from oil sand using a solvent comprised of a hydrocarbon mixture to extract or remove only a portion of the bitumen on the oil sand. The solvent type and the manner by which the extraction process is carried out has substantial impact on the quality of the extracted oil component. The solvent is designed so that it has the desired Hansen solubility parameters that enable the partial extraction of the desired oil composition. The solvent is further designed so that it can be comprised of multiple hydrocarbons having the appropriate boiling point ranges that enable the solvent to be easily recovered and recycle, without the need to externally provide for solvent make-up.