Patent ID: 7677397
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: B03B,B07B,B08B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for forming a slurry of an oil sand ore comprising: (a) a slurry vessel forming an upper opening and having a lower portion; (b) a slurry outlet provided at the lower portion of the slurry vessel; (c) means for delivering water into the slurry vessel; (d) an ore processor bed operative to receive and comminute the oil sand ore and to produce a granular material while screening and sorting the oil sand ore from an oversize material unsuitable for slurry formation in the slurry vessel, the ore processor bed having a frame disposed over the upper opening of the slurry vessel, the frame supporting a plurality of spacedly disposed rotatable elements and drive means for driving the rotatable elements; the frame comprising an elongated upper portion of the ore processor bed formed at least in part by the rotatable elements; and (d) a solvent supply for contacting the oil sand ore with a solvent along the elongated upper portion of the ore processor bed as the oil sand ore is transported by the rotatable elements to comminute the oil sand ore and to produce the granular material while screening and sorting the oil sand ore from the oversize material, the solvent supply comprising a sprayer disposed over and directed towards the elongated upper portion of the ore processor bed, the sprayer operative to spray the solvent towards and along the elongated upper portion of the ore processor bed; and (e) means for supplying the oil sand ore to the ore processor bed; whereby as the oil sand ore contacts the rotatable elements and the solvent along the frame, the oil sand ore is screened, sorted and comminuted by the ore processor bed to produce the granular material for forming the slurry in the slurry vessel; and wherein the rotatable elements have a profile selected from the group consisting of: (a) a circular serrate edge profile; (b) a toothed edge profile; and (c) an undulating profile.