Sedimentation Behaviour of Fine Solids in Hydrocarbon
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Abstract
The current bitumen extraction process has an alarming and increasing environmental impact that is forcing the industry to find a better way to produce oil. The solution that is in development is a solvent based bitumen extraction process. The removal of fines solids is still an important issue to solve. This study focusses on the settling behavior of fine solids in diluted bitumen. The settling rate of indigenous fines and bitumen coated silica and clays in diluted bitumen using n-heptane as the solvent. In conclusion, the identity of the particles has an effect in the adhesive forces between particles, even if they are coated with a layer of bitumen. Bitumen extracted fines show a slower aggregation mechanism than silica in n-heptane. The silica particles sedimentation behaviour was predictable and correlated to their size, in contrast with what was seen with the clays.