Distribution and Types of Solids Associated With Bitumen

In the conventional Hot Water Extraction Process bitumen is separated as a froth that is then diluted with naphtha and subjected to two stages of centrifugation. The resulting bitumen solution still contains residual water, dissolved salts and mineral solids. Before upgrading the solvent and other volatile components are removed by topping at 524°C. The salts and mineral solids remain with topped bitumen; their presence can lead to serious operational problems in the bitumen upgrading process. In the present work the solids associated with bitumen (BS) have been identified as mainly ultra-fine (nano sized) aluminosilicate clays coated with strongly bound toluene insoluble organic material having “asphaitene characteristics”. It is proposed that these ultra-fine clays with their strong tendency to collect at oil-water interfaces, are the key component responsible for the presence of intractable water and associated salts in bitumen froth.