Characterization of Fine Solids in Bitumen Froth Before and After Hydrothermal Reactions

Abstract

In this study, the mineralogy, surface properties, and morphology of fine solids in bitumen froth before and after hydrothermal reactions were investigated. It was observed that clay minerals such as kaolinite and illite did not go through significant mineralogical changes after the reaction. However, the siderite and pyrite contained in the bitumen froth were found to convert to pyrrhotite after the reaction. This conversion could be advantageous during direct hydrothermal froth upgrading as it fixes sulfur. The fine solids in bitumen froth were found to possess diverse wettability but they turned uniformly more oil-wet. Consequently, the fine solids lost their emulsion stabilization function as they mostly stayed in the oil phase. The filterability of the fine solids in the bitumen froth was also significantly increased, possibly due to a change in wettability and particle size. Therefore, hydrothermal reactions of bitumen froth can destabilize water-in-oil emulsions and facilitate fine solids removal.