Patent ID: 9719022
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: B03D,C10G

Claim:
1. A separation method, the method comprising: (a) providing a first stage solvent extraction apparatus comprising a first mixer and a first gravity settler, for performing a first solvent extraction stage; (b) introducing a first solvent extraction feed material into the first mixer, wherein the first solvent extraction feed material is comprised of solid mineral material, water and bitumen, wherein the first solvent extraction feed material is derived from a process for recovering bitumen from oil sands, and wherein the first solvent extraction feed material comprises whole froth treatment tailings or a fraction of whole froth treatment tailings; (c) allowing the first solvent extraction feed material to separate in the first gravity settler into an underflow zone and an overflow zone; (d) withdrawing a first stage underflow product from the underflow zone of the first gravity settler; (e) withdrawing a first stage overflow product from the overflow zone of the first gravity settler; (f) withdrawing a first intra-stage recycle component comprising bitumen from the overflow zone of the first gravity settler; and (g) mixing the entire first intra-stage recycle component with the first solvent extraction feed material in the first mixer; (h) introducing the first stage underflow product into a second solvent extraction stage as a second solvent extraction feed material; (i) allowing the second solvent extraction feed material to separate in the second solvent extraction stage into an underflow zone and an overflow zone; (j) withdrawing a second stage underflow product from the underflow zone of the second solvent extraction stage; and (k) withdrawing a second stage overflow product from the overflow zone of the second solvent extraction stage; and (l) mixing the second stage overflow product with the first intra-stage recycle component and the first solvent extraction feed material in the first mixer so that allowing the first solvent extraction feed material to separate in the first gravity settler comprises allowing the mixed second stage overflow product, first intra-stage recycle component and first solvent extraction feed material to separate in the first gravity settler.