Chapter 1
diluted with light solvents (e.g. naphtha) together with a demulsifier for further
separation.
Recycled
water
Figure 1.1 Scheme of oil sands processing using water-based extraction [3]
Figure 1.2 shows general scheme of froth treatment process [4]. Diluted
bitumen containing bitumen, naphtha, water, sand and clay is fed into splitter and
temporarily retained to produce a bottom layer of tailings comprising sand and
middling, a rag layer comprising hydrocarbons in a skin of fine, and a top layer of
hydrocarbons with small droplets of water and fines (raw diluted bitumen).
Demulsifier is mixed with raw diluted bitumen, which enters a polisher tank to
produce polished diluted bitumen containing less than 2.0 w.% water and 0.9 w.%