Patent ID: 9150795
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A method for separation of at least bitumen, solids and water from a bitumen froth in a single vessel, the method comprising: diluting the bitumen froth with a paraffinic solvent for reducing the viscosity thereof, a solvent-to-bitumen ratio therein being maintained below a ratio at which asphaltenes are rejected from the bitumen froth; feeding the diluted bitumen froth to the single vessel, the vessel having a plurality of spaced apart internals positioned between a feed inlet, adjacent a top of the vessel for receiving the diluted bitumen froth, and a reject outlet at a bottom of the vessel, the plurality of spaced apart internals forming a plurality of stages therebetween, the diluted bitumen froth flowing downward through the plurality of internals; and introducing additional of the paraffinic solvent to the vessel through one or more solvent inlets positioned below the internals, the additional solvent flowing upwardly therein, counter-current to the diluted bitumen froth, through the plurality of stages of internals and forming a gradient of solvent concentration relative to hydrocarbon concentration therein, a highest concentration of solvent being at the bottom of the vessel and a lowest concentration of solvent being at the top of the vessel, the solvent-to-bitumen ratio within the plurality of stages being sufficiently high to reject asphaltenes therefrom, wherein the at least solids and water settle through the plurality of stages of internals by gravity to the bottom of the vessel for removal therefrom; and at least the bitumen is dissolved in the solvent for forming a product, the product rising through the plurality of stages of internals through buoyancy to a product outlet adjacent the top of the vessel for removal therefrom.