Oil is separated from oil sands primarily through a process involving hot water extraction. This method leverages the properties of bitumen, the heavy oil found in oil sands, to separate it from the surrounding sand and other materials.
The Hot Water Extraction Process
The process generally follows these steps:
- Mining and Crushing: Oil sands are first mined and then crushed into smaller pieces to increase the surface area.
- Hot Water Addition: Hot water is added to the crushed oil sands. This mixture is then pumped to an extraction plant. The heat helps to break down the viscous bitumen and reduce its stickiness to the sand. (Reference: Information from June 19, 2024, source indicates that hot water is added at both the initial crushing stage and again at the extraction plant.)
- Separation in a Vessel: At the extraction plant, the mixture (now containing sand, clay, bitumen, and water) is placed in a large separation vessel. This vessel allows for settling, enabling the different components to separate based on density and other physical properties. (Reference: Information from June 19, 2024, source details the use of a separation vessel and settling time.)
- Bitumen Recovery: After settling, the bitumen, being less dense than the sand and clay, rises to the top and is recovered. (Reference: Several sources mention that the bitumen is separated from sand and other components. )
Other Methods
While hot water extraction is the dominant method, other techniques exist, particularly for in-situ (in-place) extraction where mining isn't feasible. These methods can be significantly more complex and involve processes like steam injection to heat and mobilize the bitumen. (Reference: One source mentions "in-situ" extraction as an alternative to mining.)
This video demonstrates hot water extraction: Oil Sand Separation Demonstration - YouTube
The separated bitumen is then further processed and upgraded to produce synthetic crude oil, which can then be refined into various petroleum products. (Reference: A source mentions that the bitumen is upgraded to synthetic crude oil for further refining.)
