STUDY OF FINES IN BITUMEN EXTRACTED FROM OIL SANDS BY HEAT-CENTRIFUGATION

The temperature dependence of, first, the yield of bitumen extracted from oil sands and, second, of the co-extracted solid particles in the bitumen was studied. Centrifugal extractions were performed in an argon (inert) atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 30°C to 150°C. The co-extracted solid particles were investigated through digital image analysis, instrumental neutron activation analysis and ash yield. The yield of bitumen increases with extracting temperature and is also dependent on the grade and origin of the oil sand. The quantity of fines, e.g. clay minerals or fine sand particles is dependent on the grade and origin of the oil sand. The total amount of co-extracted solid particles is found to be independent of the extracting temperature.