초록 ▼

A method for updating a concentrate of tar sands bitumen containing fine mineral matter and optionally coarse mineral matter in which solvent-diluted bitumen is contacted for a short time in a riser with hot attrition-resistant substantially catalytically inert acid-resistant fluidizable particles,

A method for updating a concentrate of tar sands bitumen containing fine mineral matter and optionally coarse mineral matter in which solvent-diluted bitumen is contacted for a short time in a riser with hot attrition-resistant substantially catalytically inert acid-resistant fluidizable particles, causing a selective vaporization of the lighter high hydrogen content components of the bitumen. The preferred particles are composed of silica-alumina, most preferably a mixture of mullite and crystalline silica or mullite, crystalline silica and an acid-resistant form of alumina. A portion of the heavier asphaltenes and most of the components which contain metals, sulfur and nitrogen remain on the attrition-resistant fluidizable particles. Fine mineral matter in the bitumen feed also deposits on the fluidized particles instead of being carried over with the vaporized hydrocarbon product. The contact material, with deposit, is contacted with a solution of acid to remove the deposit of mineral matter and deposited metals without decomposing the particles of contact material. The heated particles of contact material are reintroduced into the riser for further contact with incoming diluted bitumen charge.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for upgrading a charge of a tar sand bitumen concentrate containing mineral matter including fine particles which comprises contacting said charge in a riser in the presence of a low boiling organic solvent diluent with finely divided attrition-resistant particles of a hot fluidizable subs

A process for upgrading a charge of a tar sand bitumen concentrate containing mineral matter including fine particles which comprises contacting said charge in a riser in the presence of a low boiling organic solvent diluent with finely divided attrition-resistant particles of a hot fluidizable substantially catalytically inert solid which is substantially chemically inert to a solution of mineral acid, the contact of said charge with said particles being at high temperature and short contact time to vaporize the high hydrogen containing components of said bitumen, said period of time being less than that which induces substantial thermal cracking of said charge, at the end of said time separating said vaporizing product from said fluidizable particles, said fluidizable particles now bearing a deposit of both combustible solid, adherent particles of fine particles of mineral matter and metals, and passing said particles of inert solid with deposit of combustibles and fine particles of mineral matter to a regenerator to oxidize the combustible portion of said deposits, removing at least a portion of deposit of mineral matter and metals by removing said inert solid from said regenerator and contacting removed inert solid with a hot mineral acid, and recirculating fluidizable solid depleted at least in part of deposited mineral matter to contact with incoming charge of tar sand bitumen concentrate and diluent.