Abstract Non-aqueous extraction (NAE) at ambient temperature is a promising substitute to the current commercial hot water process for mined oil sand, but several challenges remain largely due to the use of hazardous conventional organic solvents (COS) such as toluene or heptane. In this work, a more sustainable process for separating extra-heavy oil from oil sands ore using β-pinene, a naturally abundant green solvent was developed. The method used to facilitate phase separation was two-stage centrifugation. Experimental parameters investigated included centrifugal force, solvent dosage and extraction time. Results indicated that oil recovery and supernatant product quality using β-pinene were affected by these process parameters, but there was little to no sensitivity to the grade of ore tested. The β-pinene extraction, after two stages of centrifugation, achieved oil recoveries of 96% to 99% for different-grades of ore, the highest yield compared to those often obtained using either toluene or n-heptane. The total water and solids content in the supernatant of the β-pinene extract could be controlled to 0.09 wt% and this is comparable to extraction by toluene. Importantly, the quantity of β-pinene solvent residual in sand after evaporation, although inversely relating to oil recovery, was limited in the range of about 5 to 60 ppm, a level well below the regulation target for a COS. The application of β-pinene solvent as a green alternative in NAE could reduce the safety, environmental, and health concerns associated with the use of a COS.

中文翻译：

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使用天然丰富的绿色溶剂高效回收超重油：实现更可持续的油-固-水分离

摘要 环境温度下的非水萃取 (NAE) 是目前用于开采油砂的商业热水工艺的有前途的替代品，但由于使用了有害的常规有机溶剂 (COS)，如甲苯或庚烷，仍然存在一些挑战。在这项工作中，开发了一种使用 β-蒎烯（一种天然丰富的绿色溶剂）从油砂矿石中分离超重油的更可持续的方法。用于促进相分离的方法是两级离心。研究的实验参数包括离心力、溶剂用量和提取时间。结果表明，使用 β-蒎烯的石油采收率和上清液产品质量受这些工艺参数的影响，但对所测试矿石的品位几乎没有敏感性。β-蒎烯提取，经过两级离心后，不同品位矿石的油回收率达到 96% 至 99%，与通常使用甲苯或正庚烷获得的收率相比，这是最高的收率。β-蒎烯提取物上清液中的总水和固体含量可以控制在 0.09 wt%，这与甲苯提取相当。重要的是，蒸发后砂中 β-蒎烯溶剂的残留量虽然与采油率成反比，但被限制在约 5 至 60 ppm 的范围内，该水平远低于 COS 的规定目标。 β- 的应用蒎烯溶剂作为 NAE 中的绿色替代品，可以减少与使用 COS 相关的安全、环境和健康问题。与通常使用甲苯或正庚烷获得的产量相比，产量最高。β-蒎烯提取物上清液中的总水和固体含量可以控制在 0.09 wt%，这与甲苯提取相当。重要的是，蒸发后砂中 β-蒎烯溶剂的残留量虽然与采油率成反比，但被限制在约 5 至 60 ppm 的范围内，该水平远低于 COS 的规定目标。 β- 的应用蒎烯溶剂作为 NAE 中的绿色替代品，可以减少与使用 COS 相关的安全、环境和健康问题。与通常使用甲苯或正庚烷获得的产量相比，产量最高。β-蒎烯提取物上清液中的总水和固体含量可以控制在 0.09 wt%，这与甲苯提取相当。重要的是，蒸发后砂中 β-蒎烯溶剂的残留量虽然与采油率成反比，但被限制在约 5 至 60 ppm 的范围内，该水平远低于 COS 的规定目标。 β- 的应用蒎烯溶剂作为 NAE 中的绿色替代品，可以减少与使用 COS 相关的安全、环境和健康问题。