Patent ID: 9051518
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: C10G,F17D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for producing a bitumen froth having reduced solids and water from an oil sand slurry, comprising: a) introducing the oil sand slurry into a separation vessel operated under quiescent conditions; b) retaining the oil sand slurry within the separation vessel so that separate layers of bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings are formed; c) introducing sufficient heated water having a temperature greater than about 80° C. and forming a stable, evenly distributed underwash layer between the bitumen froth layer and the middlings; and d) separately removing the bitumen froth, middlings and sand tailings from the separation vessel; wherein the heated water is introduced into the vessel at a heated water to oil sand ratio of about 0.04:1 to about 0.1:1 by weight.