Investigation of Cavitating Jet Effect on Bitumen Separation from Oil Sands

Abstract

The effect of a submerged cavitating jet on as-mined oil sands is investigated in order to assess the potential of this new technological approach to bitumen extraction at low temperatures. A series of laboratory experiments have been performed using a custom-made experimental apparatus that allowed ablation measurements of oil sands samples and provided information regarding the volume of the extracted bitumen, the remaining volume of cleaned sand, the effects of the water temperature, and the time of exposure of the sample to a cavitating jet. A comparison of the results for cavitating and noncavitating jets is provided.

Keywords:

• bitumen separation
• cavitating jet
• cavitation
• oil sands