HYDRAULIC MINING OF TAR SANDS

摘要

HYDRAULIC MINING OF TAR SANDSAbstract of the DisclosureBitumen is separated and recovered from tar sandsdeposits by use of special hydraulic mining techniques. Oneor more jets of hydraulic mining fluid are projected by anozzle or nozzles against a face of a tar sands deposit andadvanced towards the face as the face erodes under the jettingaction. Sand and bitumen separate, due to the jetting action,and are removed from the eroding area by the flow of hydraulicfluid which is cycled to a recovery zone for separation offluid, sand, and bitumen. Fluid is recycled, bitumenrecovered, and sand disposed of as backfill. Advance of asingle nozzle is varied by lateral diversion to erode over awider area of the face and increase the volume eroded by asingle advancing jet.