Process for extracting oil from tar sands

摘要

A process for the extraction of oil and bitumen fractions from tar sands comprising the steps of heating the tar sands to 70 DEG -150 DEG F., mixing with an aqueous solutions of water soluble separation chemicals, particularly sulfonated fatty acids or salts, holding the tar sand and the separation chemicals for a sufficient period of time to allow the bitumen to float to the top and the sand to sink to the bottom, and separation of the oil or bitumen fractions from water and the separation chemicals.