Patent ID: 7862709
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A method for separating bitumen from oil sands, comprising: contacting a separating composition comprising at least about 71% by weight water, a wetting agent, a hydrotropic agent, and a dispersant having flocculating characteristics and an acid in an amount from about 1.7% to about 8.6% by weight and the acid is selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydronic acid, hydrobromic acid, perchloric acid, magic acid, carborane super acid, triflic acid, ethanoic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, and mixtures thereof with oil sands comprising bitumen, clay and sand; heating the separating composition and the oil sands; agitating the separating composition and the oil sands; and recovering the bitumen and the clay and sand as separate products; wherein the wetting agent, the hydrotropic agent and a dispersant having flocculating characteristics are different.