Use of Short-Chain Amine in Processing of Weathered/Oxidized Oil Sands Ores

Abstract

In this study, short-chain amines were tested for improving bitumen recovery from weathered/oxidized oil sands ores. Three different amines, n-propylamine, n-butylamine, and n-pentylamine, were used. The emphasis of this study was to improve air bubble−bitumen attachment, measured by an induction timer. Amine addition was found to significantly decrease the induction time of the air bubble attaching to bitumen, reaching a minimum value at pH 9. Among the tested amines, the shortest induction time was obtained with n-butylamine addition. Adsorption of n-butylamine on bitumen was confirmed by ζ-potential measurements. Finally, Denver cell bitumen flotation tests confirmed the results obtained from the induction time measurements. n-Butylamine is shown to be a good chemical aid to improve the extraction of bitumen from weathered/oxidized oil sands ores. Plant process water having 10 mM n-butylamine increased bitumen recovery by more than 20% for two weathered/oxidized oil sands ore samples.