Abstract
Abstract The dynamic process of bitumen film formation onto an air bubble surface, which occurs during the recovery of bitumen from oil sands, was studied by measuring the time and temperature dependence of bubble surface tension and contact angle. Measurements were performed using the axisymmetric drop shape analysis technique at 23°C (room temperature), 50°C, and 70°C. The apparent bubble surface tension decreases upon bitumen-air bubble contact, and gradually reaches a plateau. The time required to attain the final equilibrium value is reduced at higher temperatures. A bubble attachment model was developed to describe the stability or strength of the bitumen drop-air bubble contact. Using the experimental data obtained for the apparent surface tension, it was shown that a thin bitumen film will weaken the strength of the bitumen drop-air bubble attachment by 1–10% depending on the sizes of the bitumen drop and air bubble. In order to enhance the bitumen drop-air bubble attachment, the average size of the bubble should be the same as the average size of the bitumen drops.
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