Samuel W Harris

US Patent:

42736447, Jun 16, 1981

Filed:

Jun 30, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/164607

Inventors:

Samuel W. Harris - Oklahoma City OK
Jack W. Roach - Oklahoma City OK

Assignee:

Kerr-McGee Refining Corporation - Oklahoma City OK

International Classification:

B65D 8546

US Classification:

208321

Abstract:

A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine bituminous material particles in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, mist and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a static mixer. The static mixer intimately mixes the mist with the fluid-like material and causes the mist to recombine with the fluid-like material from which it was formed. The resulting stream is introduced into a steam stripper to separate the solvent remaining in the bituminous material. The vaporized solvent and steam are withdrawn from the stripper substantially free of entrained bituminous material and condensed.