Ultrasonic Reactor for the Recovery of Bitumen from Tar Sand: Final Report

摘要

A bench scale ultrasonic reactor was designed for testing to determine its feasiblity for enhancing the dissolution and extraction of bitumen from Utah tar sands using both solvent and water as a liquid medium for dissolution and extraction and to compare the results. The ultrasonic reactor did not significantly enhance dissolution of bitumen into the sovlent. Ultrasonic energy did appear to enhance intraparticle diffusion in consolidated tar sand. The rate of disengagement of the bitumen from the sand in hot water extraction was slightly enhanced and a continuous flow unit may show promise for the recovery of bitumen from tar sands. Assuming that high recovery efficiency can be obtained, the energy requirements for the ultrasonic reactor did not appear to be prohibitive. 5 figs., 3 tabs. (ERA citation 13:030828)