Patent ID: 6576145
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: B03B,B03D,B09C,C02F,C10G,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for separating hydrocarbons from a mixture of hydrocarbons and a particulate mineral substrate, comprising the steps of:a) feeding a predetermined amount of said mixture into a mixing vessel; b) adding a predetermined amount of water to said mixture; c) mixing said water and said mixture together to form an aqueous slurry; d) tempering said slurry to a temperature between about 20Â° C. and about 150Â° C.; e) passing said tempered slurry from said mixing vessel through a linear oxidation vessel at a low axial flow velocity and a high radial and rotational flow velocity to release said hydrocarbons from said mineral substrate and to reduce the molecular weight of at least a portion of said hydrocarbons, the residence time of said slurry in said oxidation vessel being between about 5 minutes and about 60 minutes; and f) passing said tempered slurry from said linear oxidation vessel through a separator wherein at least a portion of said particulate mineral substrate is separated from said water and said hydrocarbons, and wherein at least a portion of said hydrocarbons are separated from said water.