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TitleDistribution of minerals in process streams after bitumen extraction by the hot water extraction process
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsKaminsky, H. A. W., Etsell T. H., Ivey D. G., & Omotoso O.
EditorsSego, D. C.
Pagination8 pages
Date Published12/2008
Place PublishedEdmonton, AB
Publication Languageeng
Keywordsanalytical methodology, federal government, oil sand characteristics, tailings, UofA
Abstract

Significant research has been done to examine the composition of the solids in the different streams produced by the hot water extraction process. However, very little work has been published showing how the minerals are distributed around the extraction process. This work takes a single ore and details how the minerals partition to the froth, middlings, and tailings streams after batch extraction. Size separation, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and X-ray diffraction combined with quantification by the Rietveld method, are used to provide a detailed breakdown of how elements and minerals are affected by the hot water extraction process. Results show that the primary froth is enriched in kaolinite, iron oxide-hydroxides, zircon, and titanium oxides compared with the other streams. The middlings stream, on the other hand, is enriched in all the clay minerals but especially illite-smectite. Also of interest is the observation that the majority of the titanium and iron in all streams is found in the <45 µm size fraction. These results will hopefully lead to an increased understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with the disposal of the solid waste produced by the hot water extraction process. INTRODUCTION The mineralogy of the oil sands has been the subject of many different studies ranging from geological deposit characterization (Bayliss & Levinson, 1976) to studies on how valuable minerals deport around extraction in a pilot plant (Alberta Chamber of Resources, 1996). The short coming of these studies is that no attempt has been made to provide a mineralogical balance around extraction. This paper fills that gap in the literature.

Notes

IN: Proceedings of the First International Oil Sands Tailings Conference. Sego D.C. (Ed.). December 7-10, 2008. Edmonton, Alberta. University of Alberta Geotechnical Center and Oil Sands Tailing Research Facility. Edmonton, Alberta. pp. 93-101.

Locational Keywords

Alberta oil sands

Group

OSEMB

Citation Key52087

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