Patent ID: 6074558
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
A process for the biochemical treatment of bitumen froth tailings obtained as a residuum during the extraction of bitumen from bitumen froth produced during the treatment of tar sands using a paraffinic hydrocarbon as a solvent,a) said bitumen froth tailings being characterized by the presence of a bacterial culture of mircroorganisms or by the addition of a non-indigenous bacterial culture, said tailings containing residual bitumen, paraffinic hydrocarbon as a solvent, and also precipitated asphaltenes, sand and clay,b) isolating a portion of said tailings and inoculating it with a solution containing a nutrient specific to the growth of said microorganisms to form an inoculum thereof,c) incubating said inoculum under isothermal conditions for a time sufficient to provide a solid-liquid mixture comprising a bioliquor phase containing biosurfactants, said paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent, including a solids phase, residual bitumen, an amount of precipitated asphaltenes, sand, clay and a biomass, andd) separating said solid-liquid mixture and thereby producing a separate bioliquor product and a solid residue.