METHODS FOR ENHANCING EFFICIENCY OF BITUMEN EXTRACTION FROM OILSANDS USING ACTIVATED CARBON CONTAINING ADDITIVES

摘要

Methods are provided for separation of bitumen from oil sands ore having a bitumen content higher than about 6%. Activated carbons, or combinations of activated carbons and caustic are used as process additives for ore-water slurry- based bitumen extraction processes or in situ bitumen recovery processes. These additives promote breakdown of adhesion between clay minerals and bitumen, resulting in the enhanced efficiency of extraction of bitumen from oil sands ore.