Technology Trend Study by Patent Analysis of Bitumen Separation Technology in Oil Sand Oil Treatment Process
The purpose of this study is to use the hybrid steam-solvent process, because it is created in the form of water, bitumen, and water/bitumen emulsion by hot steam, so effective separation is required. Methods for separating the emulsion include a chemical separation method by adding a chemical, a separation method using an electrostatic property, a separation method using a membrane, a separation method using a microwave, and the like. Among them, the most used method is the separation method using a chemical, and it is reported that the separation efficiency of the emulsion is the best. In this study, a method for efficiently separating bitumen emulsions using a chemical separation method adding an emulsifier was investigated. In particular, technological trends in oil sand oil treatment technology were analyzed based on patent analysis.