DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW METHOD FOR THE EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN FROM TAR SANDS USING SONICATION AND SODIUM-SILICATE

An extraction method for tar sand recovery has been developed using sodium silicate and sonication at low temperature and ambient atmosphere. The bitumen so far recovered is extraordinarily low in ash content and virtually free of metal and asphaltene, possessing an average gravity of 15° API for a 95% cumulative recovery (based on carbon content) in a continuous operation. The heavier fractions, asphaltene and preasphaltene, were separated as solids in which many highly enriched strategic metals were found. Simultaneously, clean sand and intact clay can also be easily and essentially recovered in full. The process utilizes the principle of membrane-mimetic chemistry and sonication. A preliminary bench-scale model has been evaluated. Economic analysis has shown that this process is very attractive.