BRPI0706789A2 - processes for oil extraction - Google Patents

Abstract

OIL EXTRACTION PROCESSES The present invention relates to processes for the extraction of heavy oils and oil sands from oil reservoirs and processes for the extraction of bitumen from oil sands and oil shale. The processes comprise an injection of a solvent comprising sodium silicate, the use of thermal technology, and / or the use of gas injection into an oil reservoir to increase the extraction of oil from the oil reservoir. In addition, processes for extracting bitumen from oil sands using a solvent comprising sodium silicate are also provided.

Description

Patent Descriptive Report for "OIL EXTRACTION PROCESSES".

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the extraction of heavy oils.

BACKGROUND

All publications are incorporated herein by reference in the same way that if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not accepted that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the invention claimed herein, or that any publication specifically or implicitly mentioned is prior art.

Oil sands (also known as bituminous sands) are a mixture primarily of sand, bitumen and water. Each oil grain can have three layers: a "envelope" of water surrounding a grain of sand, with bitumen surrounding the water to form the outermost layer. Hence it can be "oil soaked" and conversely "water soaked". Other materials, such as clay, may be present between sand, bitumen and water. Bitumen, in its raw state, is a heavy, viscous natural oil that often contains large amounts of sulfur. Bitumen found in Utah is generally known to contain lower sulfur concentrations.

Oil shale is a sedimentary rock that contains solid bituminous materials. Bitumen can be released through the pyrolysis process when the rock is heated.

There are two techniques currently used to extract bitumen: open pit mining, crushing and processing and underground mining for thermal recovery; for example using steam. For open pit mining, large open pit mines are built, along with associated extraction facilities to separate bitumen from the area. For underground operations, drilling wells are made and steam injected to heat the bitumen, allowing it to flow and pump from a well.

Bitumen is sold in two common ways: synthetic natural crude oil ("SCO"). In its natural form, bitumen is mixed with a diluent to produce a "bitumen mixture" because in its natural form, the bitumen is too viscous to be carried by conventional pipeline.

The diluents used for mixing are often less viscous hydrocarbons, most commonly a very light natural gas (C5 + or "pentanes plus" condensate). In addition, the thinner is a lightweight, fully processed, expensive natural oil. The bitumen mixture is sold to refineries and conventional heavy oil refineries. Like SCO, bitumen has been improved. SCO is also sold to conventional refineries and competes with conventional medium and light oils.

In addition, the development and production of natural oil may include three phases: primary recovery, secondary recovery and tertiary recovery (also known as advanced). Primary recovery involves using natural pressure from an oil reservoir or gravity to direct the oil into the well and lifting technologies (eg pumps) to bring the oil to the surface. However, only a small percentage (about 10%) of oil from an oil reservoir is typically produced during this phase. During secondary recovery, techniques such as injecting water or gas to displace the oil and direct it to a well are used. Secondary recovery may result in the recovery of about 20-40% of the original oil. Tertiary or advanced recovery techniques have been used and may result in about 30-60% recovery of the original oil.

The use of carbon dioxide (CO2) has had some success with advanced oil recovery. However, CO2 injections often have poor sweeping efficiency caused by finger-shaped bubble (fingering) and gravity interference. The low sweeping efficiency results from a high mobility rate caused by the low viscosity of high density CO2 compared to that of water or oil. Alternately sparkling water injection is a common process used for mobility control during CO2 injections. However, the effectiveness of this alternation is reduced by the severity separation between water and CO2 and the permeability differences.

While there are known processes in the art for extracting bitumen, there is a need in the art to extract this valuable resource in a more effective, safe and environmentally friendly manner. In addition, there is a need in the art to further improve oil recovery from oil reservoirs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with compositions and processes which are intended to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a process for extracting heavy oil from an oil reservoir comprising: providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, a salt or an equivalent thereof; inject the solvent into the oil reservoir; and extract the weighed oil from the oil reservoir. In one embodiment, heavy oil may comprise bitumen. In one embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may further comprise de-detergent-like surfactants. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise heating the solvent prior to injecting the solvent. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise injecting steam into the oil reservoir.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a process for extracting bitumen from an oil sand reservoir comprising: providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, a salt or an equivalent thereof; inject the solvent into the oil sands reservoir; extracting a paste comprising oil sands from the oil sands reservoir; and extract the bitumen from the paste. In one embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise solvent heating prior to injecting the solvent. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise injecting steam into the oil reservoir. In one embodiment, bitumen extraction may comprise separating bitumen from an inorganic material in the paste. In one embodiment, separating the inorganic material bitumen may comprise adding an amount of ar to the paste. In another embodiment, separating bitumen from inorganic material may comprise adding an amount of solvent to the paste. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise passing the paste through the extractor to remove air bubbles. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise separating the bitumen from the solvent. In one embodiment, separating the bitumen from the solvent may comprise placing the slurry through a countercurrent settling loop.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a process for extracting oil sands from the surface of the ground or petroleum shale comprising: removing oil sands or doterrene oil shale; providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, a salt or an equivalent thereof; adding the solvent to the removed oil sands or petroleum-shale to create a paste; and extract the bitumen from the paste. In one embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In one embodiment, the process may further comprise reducing the size of the removed oil sands or oil shale. In one embodiment, bitumen extraction may comprise separating bitumen from an inorganic material that exists in the paste. In one fashion, separating bitumen from inorganic material may comprise adding an amount of air to the paste. In another embodiment, the separation of bitumen from inorganic material may comprise the addition of a quantity of solvent to the paste. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise passing the pulp through the extractor to remove air bubbles. In another embodiment, the process may further comprise separating the object from the solvent. In one embodiment, the separation of bitumen from the solvent may comprise placing the paste through a countercurrent settling circuit. In one embodiment, the removal of oil sands or oil shale may comprise: providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, a salt or an equivalent thereof; use the solvent to fluidize oil sands or oil shale; and pumping oil sands or oil shale off the ground.

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example various aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures cited. It is intended that the embodiments and figures described herein be considered more illustrative rather than restrictive.

Figure 1 is a flow diagram of oil sands processing according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an open pit mining flow diagram according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 represents underground hot steam mining according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flowchart detailing the extraction of the bitumen from plowed oil sands from the ground according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment violent shaking of the paste is optional.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing the process for separating the foam bitumen according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as fully described. Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Singleton et al., Dictionary of Microbio-Iogy and Molecular Biology 3rd ed., J. Wiley & Sons (New York, NY 2001); eMarch, Advanced Organic Chemistry Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, 5th ed., J. Wiley & Sons (New York, NY 2001) provide the skilled artisan with a general guide to various terms used in the present application.

One skilled in the art will recognize various processes and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein which could be used in the practice of the present invention. Indeed, the present invention is by no means limited to the described processes and materials. For purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

"Beneficial microbe" as used herein refers to microorganisms that have the ability to impart beneficial properties to their surrounding environment. "Beneficial capacities" include, but are not limited to, the ability to digest, dissolve, break, remove, decompose or degrade materials. Examples of materials include, but are not limited to, arsenic, waste metals, tertiary methyl butyl ether ("MTBE"), residual material and hydrocarbon based material such as oil. Examples of such microbes include but are not limited to probiotics, bacteria, fungi, yeast and algae.

"Probiotics" as used herein refers to beneficial bacteria or yeast. Examples of probiotics include, but are not limited to Bifidobacterium, including, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium brevis, Bifidobacterium infantil, Bifidobacterium longum; Lactobacillus, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lac-tobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus GG; Strepto-coccus thermophilus, Enterococcus and Saccharomyces boulardii.

"Degreasing composition" as used herein refers to an organic or inorganic composition which is capable of dissolving, breaking, removing, decomposing or degrading hydrocarbon-based substances. The degreasing composition may exist as a solid, liquid or gas.

"Fluidize" as used herein refers to enabling non-cohesion of a mass and its ability to flow, even if such a flow is not uniform or granular in size. Fluidizing does not necessarily mean that oil sands or oil shale are reduced to a particular size. In fact, it is observed that large lumps may exist within what is said to be fluidized.

"Heavy oil" as used herein refers to natural oil with high viscosity and high specific density. Although not necessary, heavy oils typically have low hydrogen to carbon ratios, high asphaltene, sulfur, nitrogen, heavy metal and / or quantities of acid. Typically, but not necessarily, heavy oils have a viscosity above 10cP and a specific density below 22.3S API.

"Waterflood" as used herein refers to a process of extracting oil from a reservoir where water and / or a liquid is injected into the reservoir to displace the oil in the reservoir.

"Wellbore" as used herein refers to the open portion of an oil well into which reservoir oil may enter.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide processes for oil extraction. In one embodiment, the oil is heavy oil. In a particular embodiment, the oil is bitumen.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a solvent injection is used to extract the oil. The process comprises providing a solvent; inject the solvent into an oil reservoir; and extract the oil from the oil reservoir. Oil extraction from the oil reservoir can be performed by any technology known in the art; for example by using lifting technologies (eg pumps). While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the inventors believe that the solvent reduces the viscosity of the oil and allows it to move more easily toward production wells.

In one embodiment, the solvent may comprise a degreasing composition. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate, a salt and / or an equivalent thereof. The concentration of sodium silicate in the solvent may vary to match the conditions of the oil reservoir. An oil reservoir may contain liquids such as water and saturated saline, which may dilute the solvent. Thus, in these examples, a solvent comprising a higher concentration of sodium silicate may be advantageous. The ex-xata concentration of sodium silicate in the solvent may depend on the expected amount of liquid that already exists in the oil reservoir. In one embodiment, the sodium silicate concentration may be a concentration that will bring the sodium silicate concentration in the reservoir liquid to about 1% (by weight) when the solvent contacts the liquid in the reservoir. -River. In one embodiment, the sodium silicate concentration may be a concentration that will bring the sodium silicate concentration in the reservoir liquid to less than 2% when the solvent contacts the reservoir liquid. In another embodiment, the sodium silicate concentration may be a concentration that will bring the concentration of desodium silicate in the reservoir liquid to about 10% when the solvent contacts the liquid in the reservoir. In other embodiments, the sodium silicate concentration may be a concentration that will bring the sodium silicate concentration in the reservoir liquid to about 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%. , 8% or 9% when the solvent comes into contact with the liquid in the reservoir. One of skill in the art will be able to determine the appropriate concentration to use without undue experimentation. In one embodiment, a solvent with a high concentration of sodium silicate (for example, a concentration greater than about 60% by weight) may be injected. In another embodiment, the sodium silicate concentration may be between about 60% and 70% by weight. In another embodiment, the sodium silicate concentration may be between about 70% and 80% by weight. In another embodiment, the sodium silicate concentration may be between 80% and 90% by weight. In another embodiment, the sodium silicate concentration may be between about 90% and 99% by weight. In another embodiment, the solvent may comprise a lower concentration of sodium silicate (e.g., a concentration of less than 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight).

In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as fully described. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the inventors believe that the solvent comprising sodium silicate causes the hydrocarbon to become fluid and retard self-adhesion, which reduces the viscosity of the oil and allows it to settle. move faster.

In another embodiment, the process further comprises the use of gas injection to extract oil. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent and an amount of gas; inject the solvent into an oil reservoir; inject the amount of gas into the oil reservoir; and extract oil from the oil reservoir. Oil extraction from the oil reservoir can be done by any technology known in the art; for example by using lifting technologies (eg pumps). The solvent and gas injection can be performed in any order and can be performed simultaneously or concomitantly.

In one embodiment, the gas may be a gas capable of expanding into an oil reservoir to push oil into a well. In another embodiment, the gas may be a gas capable of dissolving in oil to decrease its viscosity and improve its flow rate. These can be natural gas, nitrogen, carbon dioxide (CO2) or combinations thereof. One skilled in the art will recognize other gases capable of expanding in an oil reservoir and / or capable of dissolving in an oil and which may be suitable for use for oil extraction. These gases may be from a naturally occurring reservoir produced by industrial applications (eg natural gas processing, fertilizer, ethanol, and hydrogen plants) or produced especially for use in oil extraction.

In another embodiment, the process may comprise the use of heat to extract the oil. The introduction of heat may serve to decrease oil hazard and may improve its ability to flow. Heat may be introduced by any process known in the art.

In one embodiment, heat may be introduced by heating the solvent prior to injecting the solvent into the oil reservoir. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent; heat the solvent, inject the heated solvent into the oil reservoir; and extract the oil from the oil reservoir.

In another embodiment, heat may be introduced by injecting steam into the oil reservoir. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent; inject the solvent into the oil reservoir; inject steam into an oil reservoir; and extract oil from the oil reservoir.

The process may also further comprise using heat and injecting a quantity of gas into the oil reservoir. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent and a gas; heat the solvent, inject the heated solvent into the oil reservoir; inject gas into the oil reservoir; and extract oil from the oil reservoir. Alternatively, the process may comprise providing a solvent and a gas; inject the solvent into the oil reservoir; inject steam into an oil reservoir; e extract oil from the oil reservoir. Solvent, vapor and / or gas injection can be performed in any order and can be performed simultaneously or concomitantly.

In another embodiment, the process may further comprise the use of detergent-like surfactants to decrease surface tension. Surfactants may be added to the solvent. Surface tension can prevent oil droplets from moving through the reservoir and thus decreasing surface tension can aid the flow of oil through the reservoir.

Oil Extraction from Oil Sands and Oil Shale

Particular embodiments of the present invention provide for the extraction of oil from oil sands and oil shale. (See Figure 1) Oil sands or oil shale can exist in a variety of sizes. In a particular embodiment the oil is bitumen. Oil Sands / Oil Shale Mining

In one embodiment of the present invention, oil sands or oil shale are mined from the open pit. In a particular embodiment, hydraulic and / or electric shovels and / or hydraulic excavators may be used to remove oil sands or oil shale from the mining pit. In cases where the oil sands or oil shale are larger than about two inches (5 centimeters) in diameter, the removed oil sands or oil shale may be placed in a crusher where their size is reduced. The pieces can be further reduced to about two inches (five centimeters) by the use of rotary crushers. Hot or warm water may be added to create a paste. In one embodiment, a solvent may be used with or in place of water. In one embodiment, the solvent may comprise a degreasing composition. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351. (See Figure 2) The pulp can still be processed at a local extraction plant, or it can be transported to an external extraction plant. The pulp can be transported by any process; for example, through an oil pipeline or by vehicles to the extraction plant.

In another mode of open pit mining, a solvent can be used to fluidize oil or shale oil wells and oil or shale sands are pumped and transported to an extraction plant. In one embodiment, the solvent may comprise a degreasing composition. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may be injected at pressures from about 4000 to about 8000 psi to fluidize oil or oil shale. The use of higher or lower pressure or demixing may assist in separating bitumen from oil sands or oil shale. The resulting paste may be aspirated and transported to an oil extraction facility; In the oil extraction facility, the oil may be extracted by methods known in the art or according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Additional modalities provide for subsurface mining of oil sands. In one embodiment, underground mining can be performed by drilling a pair of horizontal wells in the oil sands reservoir for use in extracting oil sands from the reservoir.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a solvent injection is used to extract the oil sands. The process comprises providing a solvent; inject the solvent into the oil sands reservoir; and extract the oil sands from the oil sands reservoir.

In one embodiment, the solvent may comprise a degreasing composition. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351.

In another embodiment, the process further comprises the use of gas injection to extract the oil sands. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent and an amount of gas; inject the solvent into a reservoir of oil sands; inject an amount of noreservatory gas from oil sands; and extracting the oil sands from the oil sands reservoir. Solvent and gas injection can be performed in any order and can be performed simultaneously or concurrently.

In one embodiment, the gas may be a gas capable of expanding into an oil sands reservoir to push the oil sands into a well. In another embodiment, the gas may be a gas capable of dissolving in the oil sands to decrease its viscosity and improve its flow rate. These gases may be natural gas, nitrogen, carbon dioxide (CO2) or combinations thereof. One of skill in the art will recognize other gases capable of expanding into an oil sands reservoir / or which are capable of dissolving in oil sands and which may be suitable for use in oil sands extraction. These gases may be from a naturally occurring reservoir, produced for industrial applications (eg, natural gas processing, fertilizer, ethanol, hydrogen eusines) or produced especially for use in oil extraction.

In another embodiment, the process may comprise the use of heat to extract oil sands. The introduction of heat may serve to decrease the viscosity of oil sands and may improve their ability to flow.

In one embodiment, heat may be introduced by heating the solvent prior to injecting the solvent into the oil sands reservoir. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent; heat the solvent; inject the heated solvent into the oil sands reservoir; and extract the oil sands from the oil sands reservoir.

In another embodiment, heat may be introduced by injecting steam into the oil sands reservoir. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent; inject the solvent into the oil sands reservoir; inject steam into the oil sands reservoir; and extracting the oil sands from the oil sands reservoir.

The process may also comprise using heat and injecting a quantity of gas into the oil sands reservoir. Thus, the process may comprise providing a solvent and a gas; warm the sun; inject the heated solvent into the oil sands reservoir; inject gas into the oil sands reservoir; and extracting the oil sands from the oil sands reservoir. Alternatively, the process may comprise providing a solvent and a gas; inject the solvent into the oil reservoir; inject steam into the oil sands reservoir; and extract oil sands from the oil sands reservoir. Solvent, vapor and / or gas injection may be performed in any order and may be performed simultaneously or concurrently.

In modalities where underground mining is performed by drilling a pair of horizontal wells in the oil sands reservoir, steam may be injected into the upper well and steam will contact the bitumen and heat the bitumen. Heated bitumen (which may contain other materials such as sand or clay) becomes mobile and flows with steam-condensed water into the lower horizontal well and flows to the surface or is pumped to the surface. The length of the wells may depend on the location of the oil sands reservoir. In various embodiments, the pair of depositions may be from about 750 to about 1000 meters long. The pair of wells can be drilled parallel to each other and spaced about 100 to about 200 meters apart.

In another embodiment, the process may further comprise the use of detergent-like surfactants to decrease surface tension. Surface tension can prevent oil droplets from moving through the reservoir and thus decreasing surface tension can aid the flow of oil through the reservoir.

Bitumen in the bitumen mixture removed from underground mines can be extracted in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Bitumen Extraction

During the oil extraction process, a quantity of oil is separated from rock, sand, clay and / or other materials. In various embodiments, the process may be carried out at an elevated temperature to allow bitumen extraction by the pyrolysis process. In one instance, air may be added to the pulp and transported to a gravity separation container. Due to differences in density, the bitumen will float on the surface and / or the bitumen will bind to the air bubbles and rise to the surface forming a bitumen rich foam. Inorganic contaminants along with sand, dirt, sludge, clay, etc. will settle to the bottom.

In an alternative embodiment, the solvent may be used to separate bitumen from rock, sand, clay and / or other materials. In one embodiment, the solvent may comprise a degreasing composition. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351. In this alternate embodiment, the addition of air is optional for the separation process. Materials such as sand, dirt, sludge, clay, etc. may have a higher affinity for the solvent and thus may precipitate in solution and settle to the bottom and the bitumen will rise to the surface. In addition, as bitumen and solvent may separate from each other, foam formation may be reduced or eliminated. In cases where there are additional organic materials and / or contaminants, foam may still form. Materials that have settled in the bottom are pumped into a waste processing system. This sedimentation sedation can be intensified with the use of violent agitation to allow sedimentation. In an alternative embodiment, the solvent may be removed from the middle of a sedimentation tank and reused one or more times. (See Figure 4)

Water / Oil Separation

In embodiments where a foam (containing the bitumen) is formed, the foam may be passed through an extractor, which removes air bubbles and allows the foam to be processed. The bitumen foam can be placed in a countercurrent settling circuit. A solvent may be added to separate any remaining solids and water. In one embodiment, the solvent may comprise a degreasing composition. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351. This process can produce diluted bitumen that is at a proper viscosity to be transported through the pipeline. (See Figure 5).

In an alternative embodiment, the underground mining bitumen mixture may be subjected to this water / oil separation process. For example, the bitumen mixture may be passed through a countercurrent settling loop. A solvent may be added to separate any remaining solids and water. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351. This process can also produce bituminous bitumen that is at a viscosity suitable for transport through the pipeline.

The waste from the crushing process can contain about 8% bitumen. A solvent may be added to the waste to extract additional moisture. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,351. The resulting mixture can be processed through a high pressure mixer to aid in the separation of bitumen from sand. In an additional embodiment, beneficial microbes may be added to the waste for treatment or rectification of the waste.

Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a solvent as a diluent for the extracted bitumen. In a particular embodiment, the solvent may comprise sodium silicate. In another particular embodiment, the solvent may further comprise soy flour, lignin and / or citrus pectin flour. In another embodiment, the solvent may be a degreasing composition or a dispersion solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,351. Addition of the solvent may create a bitumen mixture. The bitumen mixture may be of a suitable viscosity to permit the transport of bitumen through conventional pipelines.

Examples

The following examples are provided to further illustrate the claimed invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. To the extent that specific materials are mentioned, this is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention. One of skill in the art can develop eivalent media or reagents without the exercise of inventive ability and without disregarding the scope of the invention.

Example 1

This example illustrates the preparation of a dispersion solution which may be used in various embodiments of the present invention. Production of the dispersion solution occurs in three steps: first, 18.9 liters (five gallons) of a natural concentrate is made, followed by the formation of 378.5 liters (one hundred gallons) of complete concentrate and then followed by the formation of 6813 , Seven liters (one thousand eight hundred gallons) of dispersion solution.

First, a concentrated 18.9 liter (five gallon) solution of soy flour, Iignin flour and citrus pectin is prepared. In a 22.7 liter (six gallon) vessel, preferably having a mechanical mixing capability, approximately 15.1 liters (four gallons) of water is initially placed. The additive components that will be used are as follows:

<table> table see original document page 18 </column> </row> <table>

The amount of 453.6 g (one pound) of soy flour is added to the amount of (four gallons) of water and mixed until homogeneous. Then the 266.8 g (half pound) of Iignin flour is slowly added and mixed until the mixture is homogeneous. Then 266.8 g (half a pound) of citrus pectin is slowly added and mixed until the mixture is homogeneous. To the mixture is then added more water until the total volume of liquid reaches 18.9 liters (five gallons). This mixture will hereinafter be referred to as the natural concentrate. The natural concentrate is allowed to stand for 72 hours.

Soy flour can be made commercially available by A.E. Staley Company of Decatur, III., 62525. Iignin flour can be obtained commercially from Georgia Pacific Corporation of Atlanta, Ga. Citrus peccine can be obtained from Pectogel of Great Neck, N.Y., 11021.

The natural concentrate solution has the following composition:

Soy flour (powder) 2.38%

Lignin Flour (powder) 1.19%

Citrus Pectin (Powder) 1.19%

Water 95.23%

100.0%

A silicate solution is formulated by first adding about forty-four gallons (151.4 liters) of water to a container (e.g., 125 gallon (473.2 liters) container.) sodium silicate are added to the forty-four gallons (151.4 liters) of water. Sodium silicate is commercially available under the tradename OXYCHEM of Occidental Chemical Corporation, Niagara Falls, Ν.Ν 14302. This silicate Sodium is a liquid that has a density of about 1400.4 g / l (11.67 pounds per gallon.) Sodium silicate and water are mixed for about three minutes to form a disodium-water silicate mixture.

Then the natural concentrate is added to the sodium silica-water mixture and mixed for about seven minutes to form 378.5 liters (one hundred gallons) of complete concentrate.

The complete concentrate has a composition by weight as follows:

Sodium Silicate (Liquid) Na2O-XSiO2 62.951%

Soy flour (powder) 0.098% <table> table see original document page 20 </column> </row> <table>

To the full concentrate, 378.5 liters (100 gallons), about 6435.2 liters (1700 gallons) of water is added to produce 6,813.7 liters (one thousand eight hundred gallons) of dispersion solution, which is the working solution. used to remove oil.

The complete dispersion solution has a weight composition as follows:

<table> table see original document page 20 </column> </row> <table>

Example 2

As an option and for cases where the material to be removed is particularly difficult, other materials may be added. One such material is sodium phosphate (powder), Na3PO4, which can be obtained from Monsanto Chemical Company of St. Louis, Mo. Another material that can be added is sodium carbonate, commercially obtainable Na2CO3 from Van Waters & Rogers of San Mateo, CA, 94403. Another material that can be added is a surfactant, also known as TRITON X100 which has a formula C33H6o010.5. , which is made available by Union Carbide from Dan-bury, Conn. In fact, other ingredients may be added to alter the performance of the dispersion solution.

Where necessary, sodium phosphate powder may be added in an amount of about 4.54 kg (10 lb) dry weight per 681.7 liters (1800 gallons) of dispersion solution. Similarly, desodium carbonate may be added in an amount of about 4.54 kg (ten liters) dry weight per 681.7 liters (1800 gallons) of dispersion solution. TRITON Χ100 may be added in an amount about 3.78 liters (one gallon) of X100 per 6813,7 liters (1800 gallons) of dispersion solution. In addition, one, two or three of the above optional components may be added per single 1800 gallon batch of dispersion solution.

While the above description refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it should be readily understandable to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without disregarding the spirit thereof. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications as would be included in the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments described below are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All modifications which occur within the meaning of an equivalence range of the claims are intended to be encompassed therein.

Claims (26)

A process for extracting heavy oil from an oil reservoir comprises: providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, an equivalent salt or salt thereof, injecting the solvent into the reservoir, and extracting heavy oil from the oil reservoir. A process according to claim 1, wherein the weighed oil comprises bitumen. A process according to claim 1, wherein the solvent further comprises soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. A process according to claim 1, further comprising heating the solvent before injecting the solvent. A process according to claim 1, further comprising injecting steam into the oil reservoir. The process of claim 1, wherein the solvent further comprises detergent-like surfactants. A process for extracting bitumen from an oil sands reservoir comprising: providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, an equivalent salt or salt thereof, injecting the solvent into the oil sands reservoir, extracting a paste comprising oil sands from the oil sands reservoir; oil sands; and extract the bitumen from the paste. A process according to claim 7, wherein the solvent further comprises soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. A process according to claim 7, further comprising heating the solvent before injecting the solvent. A process according to claim 7, further comprising injecting steam into the oil reservoir. A process according to claim 7, wherein the bitumen extraction comprises separating the bitumen from an inorganic material that exists in the paste. The process according to claim 11, wherein separating the bitumen from the inorganic material comprises adding an amount of air to the paste. A process according to claim 11, wherein separating the bitumen from the inorganic material comprises adding a quantity of the solvent to the paste. The process of claim 11, further comprising passing the paste through an extractor to remove air bubbles. A process according to claim 11, further comprising separating the bitumen from the solvent. The process of claim 15, wherein separating the solvent bitumen comprises placing the slurry in a countercurrent collecting loop. A process for extracting bitumen from oil or shale sands from open ground comprising: removing oil sands or oil shale from the ground, providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, an equivalent salt or salt thereof, adding the solvent to the oil sands or oil shale removed to create a paste; and extract the bitumen from the paste. The process of claim 17, wherein the solvent further comprises soy flour, lignin flour and / or citrus pectin. A process according to claim 17, further comprising reducing the size of the removed oil sands or oil shale. A process according to claim 17, wherein the bitumen extraction comprises separating the bitumen from an inorganic material that exists in the paste. The process according to claim 20, wherein separating the bitumen from the inorganic material comprises adding an amount of air to the paste. The process according to claim 20, wherein separating the bitumen from the inorganic material comprises adding a quantity of the solvent to the paste. The process of claim 20, further comprising passing the paste through an extractor to remove air bubbles. A process according to claim 20, further comprising separating the bitumen from the solvent. A process according to claim 24, wherein separating the solvent bitumen comprises placing the paste in a countercurrent collecting loop. The process according to claim 17, wherein the removal of oil sands or oil shale comprises: providing a solvent comprising sodium silicate, an equivalent salt or salt thereof, using the solvent to fluidize oil sands or oil shale. iron; and pump oil sands or fluidized oil shale off the ground.