Patent ID: 7585407
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: introducing gas into asphaltene-containing tailings such that asphaltenes in the asphaltene-containing tailings rise with bubbles of the gas to form an asphaltene-rich froth over an asphaltene-depleted aqueous phase comprising water and non-floatable minerals; separating the asphaltene-rich froth, or an asphaltene-rich slurry formed from the asphaltene-rich froth, into a heavy mineral concentrate and a light tailings comprising water and asphaltenes; dispersing a hydrophobic agglomeration agent within the light tailings to form droplets, wherein the droplets agglomerate with the asphaltenes to form asphaltene-containing particles; and separating the asphaltene-containing particles from the light tailings as an asphaltene concentrate.