Conclusion
The authors believe that the new process described can stand by itself. Also, it can be utilized to modify existing commercial tar sand operations. The process requires pilot plant study before scale-up to commercial operation. The following conclusions can be drawn.
-
1.
Tar sand recovery using sodium silicate and sonication represents a new extraction process.
-
2.
The bitumen recovered is low in ash, virtually free of metal and asphaltenes.
-
3.
The bitumen recovered is upgraded to 15° API (raw bitumen was 7.6° API) for a 95% cumulative recovery (based on carbon content).
-
4.
The asphaltene and preasphaltene separate as solid agglomerates to the bottom.
-
5.
The solid agglomerates are highly enriched with strategic metals (e.g., Ti, Fe, V, Ni, etc.).
-
6.
Clean sand and intact clay can be easily and essentially recovered in full.
-
7.
The process mechanism utilizes the principle of membrane-mimetic chemistry and ultrasonic irradiation.
-
8.
Self-propagated surfactants are formed during the reaction.
-
9.
Kinetic studies reveal the S-shape characteristic rate curve for 95% cumulative recovery of bitumen.
-
10.
An economic analysis for a pilot plant with a capacity of 1000 barrels of bitumen per day indicates that the process is commercially attractive.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
E. J. Barth, Asphalt, Science and Technology, Gordon and Breach, New York (1962).
F. W. Camp, The Tar Sands of Alberta, Canada, 2nd edn., Carmeron Engineers, Inc. (1974), p. 44.
M.-A. Sadeghi, K. Sadeghi, L.-K. Jang, J.-F. Kuo, and T. F. Yen, “Treatment of Carbonaceous Materials,” U.S. Patent Pending, Serial No. 684,945, Docket No. 2043, 1985.
J.-F. Kuo, K. Sadeghi, L.-K. Jang, M.-A. Sadeghi, and T. F. Yen, “Enhancement of Bitumen Separation from Tar Sand by Radicals in Ultrasonic Irradiation,” Appl. Phys. Commun.,6, No. 2, 205 (1986).
K. M. Sadeghi, M.-A. Sadeghi, J.-F. Kuo, L.-K. Jang, and T. F. Yen, “Self-Propagated Surfactants Formed during Separation of Bitumen from Tar Sands Using Alkaline Solution and Sonication,” AOSTRA J. Res., Submitted, 1987.
J. R. Frederick, Ultrasonic Engineering, Wiley, New York (1965), p. 117.
M. Ibishi and B. Brown, J. Acoust. Soc. Am.,41, 3 (1967).
C. Tanford, The Hydrophobie Effect, Wiley-Interscience, New York (1973).
J. H. Fendler, “Microemulsions, Micelles, and Vesicles as Media for Membrane-Mimetic Photochemistry,” J. Phys. Chem.,84, 1485–1491 (1980).
C. Huang, “Studies of Phosphatidylcholine Vesicles. Formation and Physical Characteristics,” Biochemistry,8, 344–351 (1969).
T. F. Yen, “The Role of Asphaltene in Heavy Crudes and Tar Sands,” in: The Future of Heavy Crude and Tar Sands, McGraw-Hill, New York (1979), p. 174.
C. S. Wen, G. V. Chilingarian, and T. F. Yen, “Properties and Structure of Bitumen,” in: Bitumens, Asphalts, and Tar Sands (G. V. Chilingarian and T. F. Yen, editors), Vol. 7, Elsevier, New York (1978), p. 155.
L.-K. Jang, M. M. Sharma, Y. I. Chang, M. Chan, and T. F. Yen, “Correlation of Petroleum Component Properties for Caustic Flooding,” AIChE Ser., 78(212), 97–104 (1982).
A. S. Lee, M.-A. Sadeghi, and T. F. Yen, “The Role of Peroxides Reacting with Asphaltic Oil in Micellar Inversion Process,” Preprint, ACS 21st IECEC, San Diego, California, Aug. 25–29, 1986.
T. F. Tadros, Surfactants, Academic Press (1984).
T. F. Yen et al., unpublished results (1987).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The Publisher thanks the authors for providing a copy of the original English manuscript.
Published in Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 8, pp. 24–28, August, 1988.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chilingarian, G.V., Sadeghi, K.M., Sadeghi, M.A. et al. Development of a new method for the extraction of bitumen from tar sands using sonication and sodium silicate. Chem Technol Fuels Oils 25, 3–11 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00725199
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00725199