| Conventional naphthenic-based extraction processes are not efficient at removing fine solids from bitumen. These solids are alumino-silicate clays partially coated with a toluene insoluble organic phase, and can cause operational problems such as fouling and plugging of equipment and catalysts. Bitumen solids are known to participate in thermal upgrading reactions when no hydrogen is present, reducing the rate of coke formation compared to solids-free feeds. The goal of this research is to identify the mineralogy of bitumen solids and to determine if there is an optimum concentration of solids in the feed to a coking unit. Several analyses were used in the characterization of bitumen solids, followed by a systematic study of the effects of solids in coking reactions under fluid-coking-type conditions. Solids composition was found to be primarily illite and kaolinite. Bitumen solids affect the yield of distillates during coking reactions with no effect on the yield of coke. |
