Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02929514 2016-05-10
FLUID INJECTION TO PROMOTE SEPARATION OF HYDROCARBON FLUID
FROM PARTICULATE MATTER IN A FROTH SETTLING UNIT
Field of the Disclosure
[0001] The present disclosure relates to fluid injection to promote
separation of hydrocarbon
fluid from particulate matter in froth settling units, to froth settling units
that include and/or
utilize the fluid injection, and to separation methods that include and/or
utilize the fluid injection.
Background of the Disclosure
[0002] During a paraffinic froth treatment process, hydrocarbon solvent
generally is added to
a bitumen froth to precipitate asphaltenes. After the solvent is combined with
the bitumen froth,
the mixture is supplied to a froth settling unit (FSU). The FSU separates the
mixture into an
underflow stream and an overflow stream. The underflow stream generally
includes asphaltene
precipitants, mineral solids, and water. The overflow stream generally
includes the bitumen
product and a majority of the hydrocarbon solvent. Examples of FSU's and
related paraffinic
froth treatment processes are disclosed in US8,252,170, US8,357,291,
US8,753,486, and
CA2,521,248.
[0003] A challenge with such paraffinic froth treatment processes that
utilize FSU's is that a
portion of the hydrocarbon solvent remains mixed with and/or bound to the
solids in the
underflow stream and thus exits the FSU with the underflow stream. For
example, regulatory
agencies specify a regulatory limit on a maximum concentration of the
hydrocarbon solvent
within the underflow stream prior to disposal thereof. Under certain
conditions, it may be
difficult to decrease the concentration of hydrocarbon solvent within the
unclerflow stream to a
value that is less than the regulatory limit. In addition, solvent losses in
the underflow stream
directly impact bitumen yield of the process. Furthermore, reduced solvent
loss reduces solvent
make-up requirements for the process, thereby decreasing operational costs.
Thus, there exists a
need to promote separation of hydrocarbon solvent from solids in a froth
settling unit and/or to
reduce an amount of hydrocarbon solvent within the underflow stream.
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Summary of the Disclosure
[0004] Fluid injection to promote separation of hydrocarbon fluid from
particulate matter in
a froth settling unit (FSU), and froth settling units and separation methods
including the same are
disclosed herein. The methods include providing an inlet stream to an inlet
region of an internal
volume of the FSU. The inlet stream includes a bitumen froth stream that
includes the
hydrocarbon fluid, the particulate matter, and water. The hydrocarbon fluid
includes a
hydrocarbon solvent and dissolved bitumen. The particulate matter includes
precipitated
asphaltenes and mineral solids. The methods also include permitting the
particulate matter and
water to at least partially separate from the hydrocarbon fluid under the
influence of gravity such
that at least a portion of the particulate matter and at least a portion of
the water settle to a lower
region of the internal volume while at least a portion of the hydrocarbon
fluid rises to an upper
region of the internal volume.
[00051 The methods further include injecting a high-power impinging
fluid stream, which
includes an injected fluid, into a lower region of the FSU. The high-power
impinging fluid
stream mixes the particulate matter. The injected fluid has a greater affinity
for the particulate
matter than the hydrocarbon fluid has for the particulate matter and displaces
hydrocarbon fluid
entrained with the particulate matter. The methods also include discharging an
overflow stream
from an upper region of the FSU. The overflow stream comprises hydrocarbon
fluid. The
methods further include discharging an underflow stream from a lower region of
the FSU. The
underflow stream comprises particulate matter and the water.
[0006] The FSUs include an external shell that defines an internal
volume. The FSUs also
include an inlet port that is configured to receive an inlet stream into an
inlet region of the
internal volume. The inlet stream includes the bitumen froth stream. The FSUs
further include
an overflow port. The overflow port is configured to discharge an overflow
stream from an
upper region of the internal volume. The FSUs also include an underflow port.
The underflow
port is configured to discharge an underflow stream from a lower region of the
internal volume.
[0007] The FSUs further include an injection structure. The injection
structure is configured
to inject the high-power impinging fluid stream into the internal volume of
the FSU. The
injection structure is located between the inlet port and the underflow port,
and the high-power
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impinging fluid stream is configured to mix the particulate matter within the
internal volume and
to displace hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a froth settling unit, according to
the present disclosure,
that may form a portion of a paraffinic froth treatment process.
[0009] Fig. 2 is a less schematic cross-sectional view of a froth
settling unit according to the
present disclosure.
[0010] Fig. 3 is a less schematic perspective view of the froth settling
unit of Fig. 2.
[0011] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another froth
settling unit according to
the present disclosure.
[0012] Fig. 5 is a plot of depth vs. density in a froth settling unit
under a first set of
conditions.
[0013] Fig. 6 is a plot of depth vs. density in a froth settling unit
under a second set of
conditions.
[0014] Fig. 7 is a plot of solvent carry-under vs. time for a froth
settling unit.
[0015] Fig. 8 is a plot of injection status vs. time for the froth
settling unit of Fig. 7.
[0016] Fig. 9 is a plot of solvent loading vs. time for a tailings
solvent recovery unit that
receives an underflow stream from the froth settling unit of Figs. 7-8.
100171 Fig. 10 is a flowchart depicting methods, according to the
present disclosure, of
enhancing separation of hydrocarbon fluid from particulate matter in a froth
settling unit.
Detailed Description and Best Mode of the Disclosure
[0018] Figs. 1-10 provide examples of froth settling units (FSUs) 30
according to the present
disclosure, of paraffinic froth treatment processes 20 that include and/or
utilize FSUs 30, of
methods of enhancing separation of hydrocarbon fluid from particulate matter
in FSUs 30, and/or
of experimental data illustrating the operation of FSUs 30. Elements that
serve a similar, or at
least substantially similar, purpose are labeled with like numbers in each of
Figs. 1-10, and these
elements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each of Figs.
1-10. Similarly,
all elements may not be labeled in each of Figs. 1-10, but reference numerals
associated
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therewith may be utilized herein for consistency. Elements, components, and/or
features that are
discussed herein with reference to one or more of Figs. 1-10 may be included
in and/or utilized
with any of Figs. 1-10 without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0019] In general, elements that arc likely to be included are
illustrated in solid lines, while
elements that are optional are illustrated in dashed lines. However, elements
that are shown in
solid lines may not be essential. Thus, an element shown in solid lines may be
omitted without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a froth settling unit (FSU) 30,
according to the present
disclosure, that may form a portion of a paraffinic froth treatment process
20. FSU 30 includes
an external shell 32 that at least partially forms, surrounds, and/or defines
an internal volume 34.
FSU 30 further includes an inlet port 40 that is configured to receive an
inlet stream 42 into an
inlet region 50 of internal volume 34. Inlet stream 42 includes a bitumen
froth stream 43 that
may include hydrocarbon fluid 44, particulate matter 46, and/or water 48, and
FSU 30 may be
utilized to separate hydrocarbon fluid 44 from particulate matter 46 and/or
from water 48.
[0021] FSU 30 further includes an overflow port 70, which is configured to
discharge an
overflow stream 72 from an upper region 54 of internal volume 34, and an
underflow port 80,
which is configured to discharge an underflow stream 82 from a lower region 58
of internal
volume 34. FSU 30 also includes an injection structure 100. Injection
structure 100 is
configured to inject at least one high-power impinging fluid stream 110 into
internal volume 34.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, injection structure 100 is located between inlet
port 40 and underflow
port 80. High-power impinging fluid stream 110 includes an injected fluid 112
and is configured
to mix particulate matter 46 within internal volume 34 and to displace
hydrocarbon fluid 44 from
the particulate matter. With this in mind, injected fluid 112 has, or is
selected to have, a greater
affinity for the particulate matter than the hydrocarbon fluid has for the
particulate matter. Thus,
injected fluid 112 displaces the hydrocarbon fluid that is entrained with the
particulate matter,
thereby enhancing separation of the hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate
matter.
[0022] As used herein, the phrases "entrained within" or "entrained
with" or simply the word
"entrained" are intended to indicate that a given material moves with, is
carried with, is carried
by, and/or flows with another material. As examples, the given material may
coat the other
material, may cover the other material, may wet the other material, and/or may
be surrounded by
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the other material. The given material and the other material may form a
homogeneous, or at
least substantially homogeneous, mixture. Alternatively, the given material
may be present in
discrete domains, regions, pockets, and/or volumes that are surrounded by the
other material.
[0023] As discussed, FSU 30 may form a portion of a paraffinic froth
treatment process 20,
which also may be referred to herein as a process 20 and/or as a paraffinic
froth treatment
system 20. As illustrated in dashed lines in Fig. 1, process 20 may include a
plurality of froth
settling units that may be arranged in series. As an example, a first froth
settling unit 26 may be
upstream from FSU 30. Under these conditions, FSU 30 also may be referred to
herein as a
second FSU 30, and a first underflow stream 27 from first froth settling unit
26 may be provided
to FSU 30 as, or as at least a portion of, inlet stream 42.
[0024] As another example, a second froth settling unit 28 may be
downstream from FSU 30.
Under these conditions, FSU 30 also may be referred to herein as a first FSU
30 and underflow
stream 82 may be referred to herein as a first underflow stream 82. First
underflow stream 82
may be provided to second froth settling unit 28 as a second inlet stream, and
second froth
settling unit 28 may produce a second underflow stream 29.
[0025] First froth settling unit 26 and second froth settling unit 28,
when present, may be
similar, or at least substantially similar, to FSU 30; however, this is not
required. As an example,
first froth settling unit 26 and/or second froth settling unit 28 may, but are
not required to
include, injection structure 100.
[0026] Regardless of the exact configuration, and as illustrated in dashed
lines in Fig. 1,
underflow stream 82 may be provided, directly or indirectly, to a tailings
solvent recovery unit
(TSRU) 90. TSRU 90 may be configured to separate the components of underflow
stream 82
into separated particulate matter 91 and separated water 92. In addition,
overflow stream 72 may
be provided, directly or indirectly, to a solvent-bitumen separation assembly
94. Solvent-
.. bitumen separation assembly 94 may be configured to separate the components
of overflow
stream 72 into a recycled solvent stream 96 and a product bitumen stream 98.
[0027] During operation of FSU 30, inlet stream 42 is provided to inlet
region 50 via inlet
port 40. As discussed, the inlet stream may include hydrocarbon fluid 44,
particulate matter 46,
and water 48. Particulate matter 46 and water 48 may be significantly denser
than hydrocarbon
fluid 44. Thus, inlet stream 42 naturally and/or spontaneously may separate
under the influence
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of gravity, with hydrocarbon fluid 44 flowing and/or rising toward upper
region 54, and with
water 48 and particulate matter 46 flowing, falling, and/or plunging toward
lower region 58.
However, a portion of the hydrocarbon fluid may be entrained within
particulate matter 46 and
may fall toward lower region 58 with the particulate matter. In conventional
froth settling units
.. that do not include injection structure 100, the entrained hydrocarbon
fluid may exit the froth
settling unit in underflow stream 82. Thus, the portion of hydrocarbon fluid
44 may be lost with
the underflow stream.
[0028] This loss of hydrocarbon fluid may contribute to loss of
hydrocarbon solvent that may
be contained therein, may contribute to loss of bitumen that may be contained
therein, and/or
may make it difficult for conventional froth settling units to meet regulatory
requirements, as
discussed. However, in FSUs 30 according to the present disclosure, injection
structure 100 may
be utilized to mix, shear, and/or otherwise disrupt the flow of particulate
matter 46 toward
underflow port 80, thereby permitting the hydrocarbon fluid to be separated
and/or displaced
from the particulate matter. This displaced hydrocarbon fluid then may rise
toward overflow
port 70 under the influence of a buoyant force that is generated by a density
difference between
the displaced hydrocarbon fluid and the water and/or the particulate matter.
This displacement
of the displaced hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter enhances
separation in FSUs 30
that include injection structure 100 when compared to the conventional froth
settling units.
[0029] Injection structure 100 may include and/or be any suitable
structure that is configured
to inject high-power impinging fluid stream 110 into internal volume 34 at a
power, energy,
ancUor flow rate that is sufficient to mix particulate matter 46 and/or to
displace hydrocarbon
fluid 44 from the particulate matter. Such an injection structure may enhance
separation of the
hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter, thereby decreasing a
concentration of the
hydrocarbon fluid in the underflow stream and/or decreasing an amount, mass,
or quantity of
hydrocarbon fluid that exits the FSU in the underflow stream.
[0030] As an example, injection structure 100 may be configured to
inject high-power
impinging fluid stream 110 with an injection power that is sufficient to mix
the particulate matter
across at least a threshold proportion, or fraction, of a cross-sectional
area, or transverse cross-
sectional area, of internal volume 34. Examples of the threshold proportion of
the cross-
sectional area of the internal volume include threshold proportions of at
least 20%, at least 30%,
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at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or
at least 99% of the cross-sectional area of the internal volume.
[0031] As another example, injection structure 100 may be configured to
inject high-power
impinging fluid stream 110 with an injection power sufficient to mix at least
a threshold
proportion, or fraction, of the particulate matter as the particulate matter
passes through the high-
power impinging fluid stream. Examples of the threshold proportion of the
particulate matter
include threshold proportions of at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at
least 50%, at
least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least
99% of the particulate
matter.
100321 As yet another example, injection structure 100 may be configured to
inject high-
power impinging fluid stream 110 with an injection power sufficient to shear
the particulate
matter with an average shear rate of at least 5 s-1, at least 10 s-1, at least
50 s-1, at least 100 s-I, at
least 250 s-1, or at least 500 s-1.
100331 As another example, injection structure 100 may be configured to
inject high-power
impinging fluid stream 110 with an injection power sufficient to displace at
least a threshold
proportion, or fraction, of the hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter.
Examples of the
threshold proportion of the hydrocarbon fluid include at least 20%, at least
30%, at least 40%, at
least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least
95%, or at least 99% of
the hydrocarbon fluid.
100341 As yet another example, injection structure 100 may be configured to
inject high-
power impinging fluid stream 110 with an injection power sufficient to
distribute the particulate
matter across at least a threshold proportion, or fraction, of a cross-
sectional area, or transverse
cross-sectional area, of lower region 58. Examples of the threshold proportion
of the cross-
sectional area of the lower region include at least 20%, at least 30%, at
least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at
least 99% of the cross-
sectional area of the lower region.
100351 As another example, injection structure 100 may be configured to
inject high-power
impinging fluid stream 110 with an injection power that is sufficient to
increase a residence time
of the particulate matter within the internal volume compared to a residence
time if the high-
power impinging fluid stream were not injected into the internal volume. As
examples, the
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residence time may be increased by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%,
at least 40%, at
least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least
100% when
compared to the residence time if the high-power impinging fluid stream were
not injected into
the internal volume.
100361 As additional examples, injection structure 100 may be configured to
inject high-
power impinging fluid stream 110 with an injection power that is sufficient to
ensure that the
high-power impinging fluid stream penetrates a center of internal volume 34,
sufficient to disrupt
a plunging stream of particulate matter 46 as the particulate matter settles
into lower region 58 of
internal volume 34, and/or sufficient to generate an at least substantially
homogeneous mixture
of the particulate matter and injected fluid 112 within the lower region.
Injection structure 100
also may be referred to herein as a means for mixing particulate matter 46
within internal
volume 34. This may include mixing the particulate matter with water 48 and/or
with injected
fluid 112 of high-power impinging fluid stream 110.
100371 Injection structure 100 may be configured to inject the high-
power impinging fluid
stream at an injection flow rate. As discussed in more detail herein, the
injection structure may
be configured to inject a plurality of high-power impinging fluid streams.
Under these
conditions, each of the plurality of high-power impinging fluid streams may be
injected at the
injection flow rate. Examples of the injection flow rate include flow rates of
at least 20 cubic
meters per hour (m3/hr), at least 25 m3/hr, at least 30 m3/hr, at least 40
m3/hr, at least 50 m3/hr, at
least 75 m3/hr, at least 100 m3/hr, at least 150 m3/hr, at least 200 m3/hr, at
least 250 m3/hr, or at
least 300 m3/hr. Additionally or alternatively, the injection flow rate may be
at most 600 m3/hr,
at most 500 m3/hr, at most 400 m3/hr, at most 350 m3/hr, at most 300 m3/hr, at
most 250 m3/hr, at
most 200 m3/hr, at most 150 m3/hr, or at most 100 m3/hr.
100381 Injection structure 100 additionally or alternatively may be
configured to inject the
high-power impinging fluid stream with an injection velocity. When the
injection structure is
configured to inject the plurality of high-power impinging fluid streams, each
of the plurality of
high-power impinging fluid streams may be injected at the injection velocity.
Examples of the
injection velocity include velocities of at least 0.5 meters per second (m/s),
at least 1 m/s, at
least 2 m/s, at least 3 m/s, at least 4 m/s, at least 5 m/s, at least 6 m/s,
at least 8 m/s, at least 10
.. m/s, at least 12 m/s, at least 14 m/s, at least 16 m/s, at least 18 m/s, or
at least 20 m/s.
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Additionally or alternatively, the threshold velocity also may be at most 30
m/s, at most 25 m/s,
at most 20 m/s, at most 18 m/s, at most 16 m/s, at most 14 m/s, at most 12
m/s, at most 10 m/s, at
most 8 m/s, at most 6 m/s, at most 4 m/s, or at most 2 m/s.
[0039] As illustrated in dashed lines in Fig. 1, injection structure 100
may include one or
more injection nozzles 120. When injection structure 100 includes one or more
injection nozzles
120, each injection nozzle may have any suitable size and/or configuration. As
an example, each
injection nozzle may include an injection orifice with a diameter of at least
1 centimeters (cm), at
least 2 cm, at least 2.5 cm, at least 5 cm, at least 7.5 cm, at least 10 cm,
at least 15 cm, at least 20
cm, or at least 25 cm. Additionally or alternatively, the injection orifice
also may have a
diameter of at most 50 cm, at most 40 cm, at most 30 cm, at most 25 cm, at
most 20 cm, at
most 15 cm, or at most 10 cm. As another example, the injection orifice may
have a cross-
sectional area of at least 1 square centimeters (cm2), at least 5 cm2, at
least 10 cm2, at least 15
cm2, at least 25 cm2, at least 50 cm2, at least 75 cm2, at least 100 cm2, at
least 150 cm2, at
least 200 cm2, at least 350 cm2, at least 300 cm2, at least 350 cm2, at least
400 cm2, at least 450
.. cm2, at least 500 cm2, or at least 600 cm2. Additionally or alternatively,
the injection orifice may
have a cross-sectional area of at most 1000 cm2, at most 900 cm2, at most 800
cm2, at most 700
cm2, at most 650 cm2, at most 600 cm2, at most 550 cm2, at most 500 cm2, at
most 450 cm2, at
most 400 cm2, at most 350 cm2, at most 300 cm2, at most 250 cm2, at most 200
cm2, at most 150
cm2, at most 100 cm2, at most 50 cm2, at most 25 cm2, or at most 10 cm2.
100401 As illustrated in dashed lines in Fig. 1, injection structure 100
may include a plurality
of spaced-apart injection nozzles 120 that may be configured to inject a
plurality of separate
and/or discrete high-power impinging fluid streams. Additionally or
alternatively, injection
structure 100 may include and/or be a continuous ring injection nozzle
configured to inject a
continuous ring of injected fluid 112 around a periphery of lower region 58.
100411 When injection structure 100 includes the plurality of spaced-apart
injection nozzles,
the plurality of spaced-apart injection nozzles may be spaced-apart in any
suitable manner and/or
direction. As examples, the plurality of spaced-apart injection nozzles may be
spaced-apart
vertically and/or horizontally. When the plurality of spaced-apart injection
nozzles is spaced-
apart horizontally, the nozzles may be spaced-apart, or even equally spaced-
apart, around a
periphery of lower region 58.
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[0042] Each injection nozzle 120 may include and/or define any suitable
shape. As an
example, the injection nozzles may be fan-shaped injection nozzles. Under
these conditions, the
high-power impinging fluid stream may have an elongate cross-sectional shape.
As another
example, the injection nozzles may be circular. Under these conditions, the
high-power
impinging fluid stream may have a circular, or at least substantially
circular, cross-sectional
shape.
[0043] It is within the scope of the present disclosure that injection
structure 100 may be
configured to inject high-power impinging fluid stream 110 at any suitable
injection angle 140.
Examples of injection angle 140 include injection angles of at least -60 , at
least -55 , at
least -50 , at least -450, at least -40 , at least -35 , at least -30', at
least -25 , at least -20 , at
least -10 , at least -5 , at least 0 , at least 5 , at least 10 , at least 15
, at least 20 , at least 25 , at
least 30 , at least 35 , at least 40 , or at least 45 . Additionally or
alternatively, injection
angle 140 also may be at most 80 , at most 75 , at most 70 , at most 65 , at
most 60 , at
most 55 , at most 500, at most 45 , at most 40 , at most 35 , at most 30 , at
most 25 , at
most 20 , at most 15 , at most 10 , at most 5 , or at most 0 . Injection angle
140 may be
measured relative to a horizontal plane 142, with positive injection angles
being defined above
the horizontal plane and negative injection angles being defined below the
horizontal plane.
[0044] High-power impinging fluid stream 110 may include any suitable
composition that
may include injected fluid 112 and that may mix particulate matter 46 within
internal volume 34
and/or that may displace hydrocarbon fluid 44 from the particulate matter.
High-power
impinging fluid stream 110 also may be referred to herein as, or may form a
portion of, the
means for mixing particulate matter 46 within internal volume 34. In addition,
injected fluid 112
also may be referred to herein as a means for displacing hydrocarbon fluid 44
from particulate
matter 46. Process 20 and/or FSU 30 may include high-power impinging fluid
stream 110 and/or
injected fluid 112 thereof.
[0045] As an example, high-power impinging fluid stream 110 and/or
injected fluid 112 may
include, be, and/or consist essentially of water. As additional examples, high-
power impinging
fluid stream 110 and/or injected fluid stream 112 may include, be, and/or
consist essentially of a
polar liquid, a gas, air, another hydrocarbon fluid, i-pentane, and/or n-
pentane. As an additional
example, impinging fluid stream 110 and/or injected fluid stream 112 may
include, be, and/or
CA 02929514 2016-05-10
consist essentially of a combination and/or mixture of two or more fluids.
This mixture may
include any of the above-listed fluids in any suitable combination and/or
relative composition.
[0046] It is within the scope of the present disclosure that high-power
impinging fluid stream
110 may be a pure, or at least substantially pure, high-power impinging fluid
stream, may be
free, or at least substantially free, of bitumen, may be free, or at least
substantially free, of
particulate matter 46, and/or may be free, or at least substantially free, of
solids. Additionally or
alternatively, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that high-
power impinging fluid
stream 110 may not include a portion of underflow stream 82 and/or may not be
a recycle stream
from FSU 30.
[0047] Inlet stream 42 may include and/or be any suitable bitumen froth
stream 43 that may
include hydrocarbon fluid 44 and particulate matter 46, and process 20 and/or
FSU 30 may
include the inlet stream. Hydrocarbon fluid 44 may include and/or be any
suitable hydrocarbon
fluid that may be generated and/or utilized as a part of process 20. As an
example, hydrocarbon
fluid 44 may include a hydrocarbon solvent and dissolved bitumen, and process
20 may be
configured to recover the bitumen as a product bitumen stream 98, as discussed
in more detail
herein. Similarly, particulate matter 46 may include precipitated asphaltenes
and/or mineral
solids, and process 20 may be configured to separate the particulate matter
from the hydrocarbon
fluid, thereby permitting recovery of the bitumen.
[0048] As illustrated in Fig. 1, FSU 30 may include a plurality of
spaced-apart inlet ports 40.
As examples, FSU 30 may include at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least
5, at least 6, at least 8,
or at least 10 spaced-apart inlet ports 40. Inlet ports 40 may be spaced-apart
in any suitable
manner. As an example, the inlet ports may be equally, or at least
substantially equally, spaced-
apart around a periphery of inlet region 50 and/or around a perimeter of a
transverse cross-
section of inlet region 50. As another example, FSU 30 may include one or more
inlet ports 40
that may be configured to provide inlet stream 42 to a central portion of
inlet region 50. Under
these conditions, FSU 30 further may include a diffuser plate 41. The diffuser
plate may be
located such that inlet port 40 directs the inlet stream onto the diffuser
plate, thereby dispersing,
or spreading out, the inlet stream generally toward the periphery of the
internal volume.
[0049] When FSU 30 includes the plurality of spaced-apart inlet ports
40, injection structure
100 may include any number of injection nozzles 120, such as a corresponding
plurality of
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injection nozzles 120 and/or may be configured to inject a corresponding
plurality of spaced-
apart high-power impinging fluid streams 110 into internal volume 34. Under
these conditions,
each of the inlet ports may be located below, or each of the high-power
impinging fluid streams
may be injected below, a corresponding inlet port.
[0050] FSU 30 may be configured to receive inlet stream 42 at any suitable
inlet flow rate.
As examples, the inlet flow rate may be at least 200 cubic meters per hour
(m3/hr), at least 300
m3/hr, at least 400 m3/hr, at least 500 m3/hr, at least 600 m3/hr, at least
700 m3/hr, at least 800
m3/hr, at least 900 m3/hr, at least 1000 m3/hr, at least 1100 m3/hr, at least
1200 m3/hr, at
least 1300 m3/hr, at least 1400 m3/hr, or at least 1500 m3/hr. Additionally or
alternatively, the
inlet flow rate also may be at most 5000 m3/hr, at most 4500 m3/hr, at most
4000 m3/hr, at
most 3500 m3/hr, at most 3000 m3/hr, at most 2800 m3/hr, at most 2600 m3/hr,
at most 2400
m3/hr, at most 2200 m3/hr, at most 2000 m3/hr, at most 1900 m3/hr, at most
1800 m3/hr, at
most 1700 m3/hr, at most 1600 m3/hr, or at most 1500 m3/hr.
[0051] FSU 30 may be a relatively large structure. As examples, FSU 30
may have a
diameter 36 of at least 5 meters (m), at least 6 m, at least 8 m, at least 10
m, at least 12 m, or at
least 14 m. Additionally or alternatively, diameter 36 also may be at most 20
m, at most 18 m, at
most 16 m, at most 14 m, at most 12 m, or at most 10 m. In addition, FSU 30
may have a
height 38 that is at least 15 m, at least 17.5 m, at least 20 m, at least 22.5
m, at least 25 m, at
least 27.5 m, or at least 30 m. Additionally or alternatively, height 38 also
may be at most 40 m,
at most 37.5 m at most 35 m, at most 32.5 m, at most 30 m, at most 27.5 m, or
at most 25 m.
[0052] As discussed, FSU 30 may include a plurality of regions and/or
zones, including inlet
region 50, upper region 54, and lower region 58. Inlet region 50 and upper
region 54 may be
cylindrical, or at least substantially cylindrical. As illustrated in dashed
lines in Fig. 1, lower
region 58 may be conical, or at least substantially conical, and also may be
referred to herein as a
converging region 58. As illustrated, overflow port 70 may be in fluid
communication with
upper region 54 and/or overflow stream 72 may be discharged from upper region
54. As
illustrated in dashed lines, an overflow weir 74 may extend within internal
volume 34 and/or
within upper region 54 thereof, and overflow stream 72 may flow over the
overflow weir prior to
exiting the internal volume via overflow port 70. As also illustrated,
underflovv port 80 may be
12
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in fluid communication with lower region 58 and/or underflow stream 82 may be
discharged
from lower region 58.
[0053] Figs. 2-4 are less schematic views of FSUs 30 according to the
present disclosure.
FSUs 30 of Figs. 2-4 may include and/or be FSUs 30 of Fig. 1, and any of the
structures,
functions, and/or components that are discussed herein with reference to Fig.
1 may be included
in and/or utilized with FSUs 30 of Figs. 2-4 without departing from the scope
of the present
disclosure. Similarly, any of the structures, functions, and/or components
that are discussed
herein with reference to Figs. 2-4 may be included in and/or utilized with
FSUs 30 of Fig. 1
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0054] Fig. 2 is a less schematic cross-sectional view of a froth settling
unit 30 according to
the present disclosure, while Fig. 3 is a less schematic three-dimensional
view of the froth
settling unit of Fig. 2. As illustrated in Figs. 2-3, FSU 30 includes an
external shell 32 that
defines an internal volume 34. FSU 30 also includes a plurality of inlet ports
40, with the
example of Fig. 4 depicting 4 inlet ports that are spaced-apart around a
periphery of an inlet
.. region 50 of the FSU. FSU 30 also includes an injection structure 100 that
includes a plurality of
injection nozzles 120. Injection nozzles 120 are located vertically below
corresponding inlet
ports 40. FSU 30 further includes an overflow port 70, which is in fluid
communication with an
upper region 54 of internal volume 34, and an underflow port 80, which is in
fluid
communication with a lower region 58 of internal volume 34.
[0055] As illustrated in Fig. 2, an inlet stream 42, which includes
hydrocarbon fluid 44,
particulate matter 46, and water 48, may be provided to each inlet port 40.
Upon entry into
internal volume 34, at least a portion, or even a majority, of the hydrocarbon
fluid may flow,
under the influence of a buoyant force that is generated by a density
difference between the
hydrocarbon fluid and the water and/or the particulate matter, upward, toward
upper region 54,
and/or toward overflow port 70. In addition, at least a portion, or even a
majority, of the water
and at least a portion, or even a majority, of the particulate matter may
flow, or plunge, under the
influence of gravity, downward, toward lower region 58, and/or toward
underflow port 80. This
downward flow of the water and the particulate matter also may be referred to
herein as a
plunging fluid stream. As discussed, this downward flow of particulate matter
46 may include
.. entrained hydrocarbon fluid 45.
13
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[0056] However, injection of high-power impinging fluid stream 110 into
lower region 58
may shear, blend, and/or otherwise mix particulate matter 46 within a mixed
region 60, thereby
permitting entrained hydrocarbon fluid 45 to be displaced and/or otherwise
separate from the
particulate matter. In addition, an injected fluid 112 of high-power impinging
fluid stream 110
may be selected such that the injected fluid displaces the hydrocarbon fluid
from the particulate
matter. As an example, the injected fluid may be selected to have a greater
affinity for, or
attraction to, a surface of the particulate matter when compared to an
affinity of the hydrocarbon
fluid for the surface of the particulate matter. Thus, and as illustrated in
dash-dot lines in Fig. 2,
at least a portion of entrained hydrocarbon fluid 45 may be released from the
particulate matter
.. and may rise toward upper region 54 under the influence of the buoyant
force.
100571 Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another FSU 30
according to the present
disclosure. Similar to FSU 30 of Figs. 2-3, FSU 30 of Fig. 4 includes an
overflow port 70, an
underflow port 80, and an injection structure 100 that includes a plurality of
injection
nozzles 120. However, and in contrast to Figs. 2-3, an inlet port 40 of FSU 30
of Fig. 4 is
.. configured to provide an inlet stream 42 to a central portion 52 of inlet
region 50. As illustrated
in Fig. 4, FSU 30 further includes a diffuser plate 41. Diffuser plate 41 is
located such that inlet
port 40 directs inlet stream 42 onto the diffuser plate, thereby dispersing,
or spreading out, the
inlet stream within inlet region 50 and/or within central portion 52 thereof.
[0058] Fig. 5 is a plot of depth vs. density in FSU 30 under a first set
of conditions in which
injection structure 100 is not providing a high-power impinging fluid stream
to FSU 30, while
Fig. 6 is a plot of depth vs. density in FSU 30 under a second set of
conditions in which injection
structure 100 is providing the high-power impinging fluid stream to FSU 30. In
Figs. 5-6, the
vertical line that is indicated at 150 designates the density of a hydrocarbon
solvent that forms a
portion of hydrocarbon fluid 44 of Figs. 1-2 and 4, while the vertical line
that is indicated at 160
designates the density of pure water.
100591 As illustrated in Fig. 5, and without the injection of the high-
power impinging fluid
stream, a fluid within an upper region 54 of the FSU is relatively
homogeneous, and a density of
the fluid within the upper region is comparable to that of the hydrocarbon
solvent. However,
within an inlet region 50 and/or within a lower region 58, the fluid is much
less homogeneous, as
illustrated by the wide fluctuations in density.
14
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[0060] In Fig. 6, and during the injection of the high-power impinging
fluid stream, the fluid
within the upper region 54 is also relatively homogeneous, with a density that
is comparable to
that of the hydrocarbon solvent. In addition, the fluid within both inlet
region 50 and lower
region 58 also is relatively homogeneous, with a density that is comparable to
that of water. This
illustrates that the injection of the high-power impinging fluid stream
significantly improves
mixing within the FSU while, at the same time, permitting the hydrocarbon
fluid to form a
separate phase from the water and the particulate matter and to flow toward
upper region 54.
[0061] Fig. 7 is a plot of solvent carry-under vs. time for a froth
settling unit, such as FSU
30, Fig. 8 is a plot of injection status vs. time for the froth settling unit
of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a
plot of solvent loading vs. time for a tailings solvent recovery unit that
receives an underflovv
stream from the froth settling unit of Figs. 7-8. Fig. 7 generally may
indicate a solvent
concentration in an underflovv stream from the FSU, such as in underflow
stream 82 from FSU
30 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 generally may indicate the presence, or absence, of flow
of a high-power
impinging fluid stream into the FSU, such as high-power impinging fluid stream
110 of Fig. 1.
In Fig. 8, a value of 0 indicates that the high-power impinging fluid stream
is not being injected
into the FSU, while a value of 1 indicates that the high-power impinging fluid
stream is being
injected into the FSU. Fig. 9 generally may indicate a concentration of
solvent in particulate
matter that is discharged from a tailings solvent recovery unit, such as
tailings solvent recovery
unit 90 of Fig. 1, that is downstream from the FSU.
[0062] As illustrated in Fig. 8, the high-power impinging fluid stream
initially is not injected
into the FSU. Then, at a first time 171, injection of the high-power impinging
fluid stream is
initiated. As illustrated in Fig. 7, injection of the high-power impinging
fluid stream produces a
corresponding drop in the solvent concentration in the underflow stream from
the FSU. This
drop is more pronounced at first, but the solvent concentration stabilizes to
a baseline level that
is significantly below the level prior to injection of the high-power
impinging fluid stream. The
drop in solvent concentration in the underflow stream that is illustrated in
Fig. 8 produces a
corresponding drop in the solvent concentration in particulate matter that is
discharged from the
tailings solvent recovery unit, as indicated in Fig. 9. This drop in solvent
concentration in the
particulate matter is observed at a second time 172 that is later than first
time 171. The time
difference between the first time and the second time is due to the finite
amount of time that it
CA 02929514 2016-05-10
takes for the underflow stream from the FSU to flow to, through, and exit the
tailings solvent
recovery unit.
[0063] As further illustrated in Fig. 8, injection of the high-power
impinging fluid stream
was ceased for a brief period of time between a third time 173 and a fourth
time 174. This
produced a corresponding increase in the solvent concentration in the
underflow stream from the
FSU, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and also produced a corresponding increase in
the solvent
concentration in particulate matter that is discharged from the tailings
solvent recovery unit at a
fifth time 175, as illustrated in Fig. 9.
[0064] These results indicate that injection of the high-power impinging
fluid stream into the
FSU can cause a significant and reproducible decrease in both the solvent
concentration in the
underflow stream that exits the FSU and in the solvent concentration in
particulate matter that is
discharged from a downstream tailings solvent recovery unit. Stated another
way, these results
indicate that injection of the high-power impinging fluid stream may be
utilized to improve
separation efficiency within the FSU.
[0065] Fig. 10 is a flowchart depicting methods 200, according to the
present disclosure, of
enhancing separation of hydrocarbon fluid from particulate matter in a froth
settling unit (FSU).
Methods 200 include providing an inlet stream at 210 and permitting
particulate matter and water
to separate from the hydrocarbon fluid at 220. Methods 200 may include
selecting a composition
of an injected fluid at 230 and include injecting a high-power impinging fluid
stream at 240.
Methods 200 further include discharging an overflow stream at 250 and
discharging an
underflow stream at 260. Methods 200 also may include separating a hydrocarbon
solvent from
dissolved bitumen at 270 and/or returning a recycled hydrocarbon solvent at
280.
[0066] Providing the inlet stream at 210 may include providing the inlet
stream via an inlet
port and/or to an inlet region of an internal volume of the FSU. The inlet
stream may include
and/or be a bitumen froth stream that includes the hydrocarbon fluid, the
particulate matter, and
water. The hydrocarbon fluid may include hydrocarbon solvent and dissolved
bitumen, and the
particulate matter may include precipitated asphaltenes and mineral solids.
[0067] The providing at 210 may include providing the inlet stream in
any suitable manner.
As an example, the providing at 210 may include providing the inlet stream as
part of a
paraffinic froth treatment process. As another example, the FSU may be a first
FSU, and a
16
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second FSU may be downstream from the first FSU. Under these conditions, the
providing at
210 may include providing the underflow stream from the first FSU as a second
inlet stream of
the second FSU. As yet another example, the FSU may be a second FSU, and a
first FSU may
be upstream from the second FSU. Under these conditions, the providing at 210
may include
providing a first underflow stream from the first FSU to the second FSU as the
inlet stream.
[0068] The providing at 210 may include providing any suitable number of
inlet streams to
the FSU. As an example, the providing at 210 may include providing a plurality
of spaced-apart
inlet streams to the inlet region. Examples of the plurality of spaced-apart
inlet streams are
disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the providing at 210 may
include providing the
inlet stream to a central portion of the inlet region, as discussed herein in
connection with Fig. 4.
The providing at 210 also may include providing the inlet stream at any
suitable inlet flow rate.
Examples of the inlet flow rate are disclosed herein.
[0069] Permitting the particulate matter and water to separate from the
hydrocarbon fluid at
220 may include permitting at least partial separation, spatial separation,
and/or phase separation
of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter
and/or from the water.
This may include permitting separation under the influence of gravity,
utilizing gravity as a
motive force for the separation, permitting separation under the influence of
a buoyant force,
and/or utilizing the buoyant force as a motive force for the separation. As an
example, the
permitting at 220 may include permitting at least a portion, or even a
majority, of the particulate
matter and at least a portion, or even a majority, of the water to settle to a
lower region of the
internal volume while also permitting at least a portion, or even a majority,
of the hydrocarbon
fluid to rise to and/or toward an upper region of the internal volume, as
discussed in more detail
herein.
[0070] As a more specific example, the permitting at 220 may include
permitting a plunging
fluid stream, which includes at least the portion of the particulate matter
and at least the portion
of the water, to flow and/or settle downward from the inlet region, through
the internal volume,
toward the lower region, and/or into the lower region. Under these conditions,
the injecting at
240 may include disrupting the downward flow of the plunging fluid stream with
the high-power
impinging fluid stream and/or within the lower region of the internal volume,
such as by mixing
and/or shearing the plunging fluid stream.
17
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[0071] Selecting the composition of the injected fluid at 230 may
include selecting the
composition of the injected fluid in any suitable manner and/or based upon any
suitable criteria.
As an example, the selecting at 230 may include selecting such that the
injected fluid displaces
the hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter and/or such that the
injected fluid has a higher
affinity for the particulate matter, or for a surface of the particulate
matter, than an affinity of the
hydrocarbon fluid for the particulate matter, or for the surface of the
particulate matter.
Examples of the high-power impinging fluid stream and/or of the injected fluid
are disclosed
herein. As discussed, the injected fluid may form a portion of the high-power
impinging fluid
stream.
10072] Injecting the high-power impinging fluid stream at 240 may include
injecting into the
lower region, injecting to mix the particulate matter, and/or injecting to
displace hydrocarbon
fluid from the particulate matter. As discussed, the injected fluid may have a
greater affinity for
the particulate matter than the hydrocarbon fluid has for the particulate
matter. As such, the
injected fluid may displace hydrocarbon fluid that is entrained with the
particulate matter from
the particulate matter.
100731 The injecting at 240 may include injecting in any suitable
manner. As an example,
the injecting at 240 may include mixing the particulate matter and the water
and/or mixing the
particulate matter and the injected fluid. As another example, the injecting
at 240 may include
injecting a single high-power impinging fluid stream, either at a single
location or as a
continuous ring that extends around a periphery of the lower region. This may
include injecting
via one or more injection nozzles, examples of which are disclosed herein.
100741 As yet another example, the injecting at 240 may include
injecting a plurality of
spaced-apart high-power impinging fluid streams, such as via a plurality of
spaced-apart
injection nozzles. The plurality of spaced-apart high-power impinging fluid
streams may be
spaced-apart horizontally and/or vertically within the lower region and/or may
be spaced-apart
around a periphery of the lower region. Examples of the plurality of spaced-
apart injection
nozzles are disclosed herein.
100751 When the providing at 210 includes providing the plurality of
spaced-apart inlet
streams, the injecting at 240 may include injecting a corresponding plurality
of spaced-apart
high-power impinging fluid streams. Under these conditions, each of the
plurality of spaced-
18
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apart high-power impinging fluid streams may be injected below a corresponding
inlet stream of
the plurality of spaced-apart inlet streams.
[0076] The injecting at 240 may include injecting the high-power
impinging fluid stream at
any suitable injection angle. Examples of the injection angle are disclosed
herein.
[0077] In general, methods 200 include injecting the high-power impinging
fluid stream at
high energy, with a high flow rate, and/or at a high velocity such that the
injecting at 240 causes
shearing and/or mixing of the particulate matter, thereby improving contact
between the
particulate matter and water and/or the injected fluid stream and/or
permitting displacement of
the hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter by the injected fluid
stream. With this in mind,
and as discussed, the injecting at 240 may include injecting with an injection
power that is
sufficient to mix the particulate matter across at least a threshold
proportion of a cross-sectional
area of the internal volume, to ensure that the high-power impinging fluid
stream penetrates to a
center of the internal volume, to mix at least a threshold proportion of the
particulate matter as
the particulate matter passes through the high-power impinging fluid stream,
to shear the
particulate matter with at least a threshold average shear rate, to disrupt
the plunging stream of
the particulate matter as the particulate matter settles to the lower region
of the internal volume,
to displace at least a threshold proportion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the
particulate matter, to
distribute the particulate matter across at least a threshold proportion of a
cross-sectional area of
the lower region, and/or to generate an at least substantially homogeneous
mixture of the
particulate matter and the injected fluid within the lower region. Examples of
the threshold
proportion of the cross-sectional area of the internal volume, the threshold
proportion of the
particulate matter, the threshold average shear rate, the threshold proportion
of the hydrocarbon
fluid, and/or the threshold proportion of the cross-sectional area of the
lower region are disclosed
herein.
[0078] As more specific examples, the injecting at 240 may include
injecting with at least a
threshold fluid power, with an injection flow rate, and/or with an injection
velocity. In addition,
and when the injecting at 240 includes injecting a plurality of high-power
impinging fluid
streams and/or injecting via a plurality of injection nozzles, each high-power
impinging fluid
stream may be injected with at least the threshold fluid power, at the
injection flow rate and/or at
the injection velocity. Examples of the injection flow rate and/or of the
injection velocity are
19
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disclosed herein. Examples of the threshold fluid power include fluid powers
of at least 10
kilowatts (kW), at least 20 kW, at least 30 kW, at least 40 kW, at least 50
kW, at least 60 kW, at
least 70 kW, at least 80 kW, at least 90 kW, at least 100 kW, at least 120 kW,
at least 140 kW, at
least 160 kW, at least 180 kW, or at least 200 kW. As another more specific
example, the
injecting at 240 may include injecting a fluid jet of the high-power impinging
fluid stream into
the lower region.
[0079] It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the
injecting at 240 may include
continuously, or at least substantially continuously, injecting the high-power
impinging fluid
stream during the providing at 210, during the discharging at 250, and/or
during the discharging
at 260. Additionally or alternatively, it is also within the scope of the
present disclosure that the
injecting at 240 may include intermittently injecting the high-power impinging
fluid stream
during the providing at 210, during the discharging at 250, and/or during the
discharging at 260.
[0080] As discussed, the injecting at 240 may include injecting to
displace, or displacing,
hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter. This displacement may include
physically
displacing the hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter, such as via
shearing of the
particulate matter. Additionally or alternatively, this displacement also may
include chemically
displacing the hydrocarbon fluid from the particulate matter, such as via
wetting a surface of the
particulate matter with the injected fluid.
[0081] Discharging the overflow stream at 250 may include discharging
the overflow stream
from the upper region of the internal volume. The overflow stream may include
and/or comprise
the hydrocarbon fluid, or a major fraction of the hydrocarbon fluid, that was
provided to the
internal volume during the providing at 210. The discharging at 250 may be
accomplished in
any suitable manner. As examples, the discharging at 250 may include
discharging from an
overflow port that is above the inlet region and/or that is in fluid
communication with the upper
region. Examples of the major fraction of the hydrocarbon fluid include at
least 50 volume
percent, at least 60 volume percent, at least 70 volume percent, at least 80
volume percent, at
least 90 volume percent, at least 95 volume percent, at least 97.5 volume
percent, or at least 99
volume percent of the hydrocarbon solvent from the inlet stream.
100821 As discussed, the hydrocarbon solvent may include dissolved
bitumen, and the
discharging at 250 may include discharging at least a threshold fraction of
the dissolved bitumen
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from the inlet stream with the overflow stream. Examples of the threshold
fraction of the
dissolved bitumen include at least 80 volume percent, at least 85 volume
percent, at least 90
volume percent, at least 92 volume percent, at least 94 volume percent, at
least 96 volume
percent, at least 98 volume percent, or at least 99 volume percent of the
dissolved bitumen from
the inlet stream.
100831 As also discussed, the high-power impinging fluid stream may
include a gas and/or
another hydrocarbon fluid. Under these conditions, the discharging at 250 may
include
discharging at least a threshold fraction of the gas and/or of the other
hydrocarbon fluid in the
overflow stream. Examples of the threshold fraction of the gas and/or of the
other hydrocarbon
fluid include at least 80 volume percent, at least 85 volume percent, at least
90 volume percent,
at least 95 volume percent, at least 97.5 volume percent, or at least 99
volume percent of the gas
and/or of the other hydrocarbon fluid.
[0084] Discharging the underflow stream at 260 may include discharging
the underflow
stream from the lower region of the internal volume. The underflow stream may
include and/or
.. comprise the particulate matter and the water, or a major fraction of the
particulate matter and/or
a major fraction of the water, that was provided to the internal volume during
the providing at
210. The discharging at 260 may be accomplished in any suitable manner. As an
example, the
discharging at 260 may include discharging from an underflow port that is
below the inlet region
and/or that is in fluid communication with the lower region. Examples of the
major fraction of
the particulate matter and/or of the major fraction of the water include at
least 50 volume
percent, at least 60 volume percent, at least 70 volume percent, at least 80
volume percent, at
least 90 volume percent, at least 95 volume percent, at least 97.5 volume
percent, or at least 99
volume percent of the particulate matter and/or of the water from the inlet
stream.
100851 As discussed, methods 200 may be configured to enhance separation
of hydrocarbon
.. fluid and/or of the hydrocarbon solvent contained therein from the
particulate matter. As such,
the discharging at 260 may include discharging less than a threshold amount of
hydrocarbon
solvent in the underflow stream. Examples of the threshold amount of
hydrocarbon solvent
include less than 4 barrels, less than 3 barrels, less than 2 barrels, or less
than 1 barrel of
hydrocarbon solvent for every 1000 barrels of the underflow stream.
21
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[0086] As also discussed, the high-power impinging fluid stream may
include water. Under
these conditions, the discharging at 260 may include discharging at least a
threshold fraction of
the water from the high-power impinging fluid stream with the underffow
stream. Examples of
the threshold fraction of the water from the high-power impinging fluid stream
include at
least 70 volume percent, at least 75 volume percent, at least 80 volume
percent, at least 85
volume percent, at least 90 volume percent, at least 95 volume percent, at
least 97.5 volume
percent, or at least 99 volume percent of the water from the high-power
impinging fluid stream.
[0087] Separating the hydrocarbon solvent from the dissolved bitumen at
270 may include
separating the overflow stream into recycled hydrocarbon solvent and bitumen
product. The
bitumen product may be transported and/or pipelined from a site that performs
methods 200,
such as to permit further processing, marketing, and/or sale of the bitumen
product; however,
this is not required.
[0088] Returning the recycled hydrocarbon solvent at 280 may include
returning the recycled
hydrocarbon solvent as a portion of the inlet stream to the FSU, to a process
module that is
upstream from the FSU, and/or to a process module that is downstream from the
FSU. The
recycled hydrocarbon solvent additionally or alternatively may be recycled
and/or re-used within
another portion of a paraffinic froth treatment process that utilizes methods
200; however, this is
not required.
[0089] In the present disclosure, several of the illustrative, non-
exclusive examples have
been discussed and/or presented in the context of flow diagrams, or flow
charts, in which the
methods are shown and described as a series of blocks, or steps. Unless
specifically set forth in
the accompanying description, it is within the scope of the present disclosure
that the order of the
blocks may vary from the illustrated order in the flow diagram, including with
two or more of the
blocks (or steps) occurring in a different order and/or concurrently.
[0090] As used herein, the term -and/or" placed between a first entity and
a second entity
means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first
entity and the second
entity. Multiple entities listed with "and/or- should be construed in the same
manner, i.e., "one
or more" of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be
present other than the
entities specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those
entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference
to "A and/or B,"
22
when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" may
refer, in one
embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another
embodiment, to B
only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment,
to both A and B
(optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements,
actions, structures,
steps, operations, values, and the like.
[0091] As used herein, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list
of one or more entities
should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more
of the entity in
the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every entity specifically
listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of
entities in the list of
entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present
other than the entities
specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase "at
least one" refers, whether
related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-
limiting example, "at
least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or,
equivalently "at least one of
A and/or B") may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally
including more than one,
A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in
another embodiment, to
at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and
optionally including
entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally
including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and
optionally including other
entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and
"and/or" are open-ended
expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For
example, each of the
expressions "at least one of A, B and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one
or more of A, B, and
C," "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" may mean A alone, B
alone, C alone, A
and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B and C together, and
optionally any of
the above in combination with at least one other entity.
[0092] In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other
references discussed herein
(1) define a term in a manner that is inconsistent with and/or (2) are
otherwise inconsistent with
the present disclosure, the present disclosure shall control, and the term or
disclosure therein shall
only control with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or
the disclosure was
present originally.
23
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[0093]
As used herein the terms "adapted" and "configured" mean that the element,
component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a
given function.
Thus, the use of the terms "adapted" and "configured'. should not be construed
to mean that a
given element, component, or other subject matter is simply "capable of'
performing a given
function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is
specifically selected,
created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of
performing the
function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements,
components, and/or
other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a
particular function may
additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that
function, and vice
versa.
[0094]
As used herein, the phrase, "for example," the phrase, "as an example," and/or
simply
the term "example," when used with reference to one or more components,
features, details,
structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure,
are intended to
convey that the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment,
and/or method is an
illustrative, non-exclusive example of components, features, details,
structures, embodiments,
and/or methods according to the present disclosure. Thus, the described
component, feature,
detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is not intended to be limiting,
required, or
exclusive/exhaustive; and other components. features, details, structures,
embodiments, and/or
methods, including structurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent
components,
features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, are also within
the scope of the
present disclosure.
Industrial Applicability
[0095]
The systems and methods disclosed herein are applicable to the oil and gas
industries.
[0096] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses
multiple distinct
inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been
disclosed in its
preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be
considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The
subject matter of the
inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various
elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly,
where the claims
24
CA 02929514 2016-05-10
recite "a" or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should
be understood to
include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor
excluding two or more
such elements.
100971 It is believed that the following claims particularly point out
certain combinations and
.. subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and
are novel and non-
obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of
features, functions,
elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present
claims or
presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or
new claims,
whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same
invention, whether
.. different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are
also regarded as
included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present
disclosure.
