Process for the microwave treatment of oil sands and shale oils

Abstract

A method of extracting hydrocarbon fuel from oil sand or shale. The oil sand or shale is admixed with a sensitizer and subjected to exposure to microwave energy. This acts to remove the hydrocarbon fuel from the oil sand or shale and can also crack the hydrocarbon, lower sulfur content as well as water content.

1 . A method of extracting hydrocarbon fuel from oil sand or shale comprising admixing said oil sand or shale with a sensitizer and subjecting said oil sand and sensitizer or shale and sensitizer to exposure to microwave energy.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said microwave energy exposure is of sufficient duration and power to extract said hydrocarbon fuel from said oil sand or shale and to convert said hydrocarbon fuel to liquid and gaseous sources of energy.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oil sand or shale is exposed to microwave energy in an oxygen starved environment.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said oil sand or shale is exposed to microwave energy in a hydrogen-rich environment.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said oil sand or shale is exposed to microwave energy in a nitrogen-rich environment.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oil sand or shale contains an in-situ source of hydrogen during microwave irradiation.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sensitizers comprise a member selected from the group consisting of amorphous carbon, amorphous-dispersed metals, transition metal oxides and salts.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sensitizers comprise a member selected from the group consisting of NiO, CiO, Fe 3 o 4 , MnO 2 , Co 2 O 3  and WO 3 .  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a desulphurizing additive is added to said oil sand or shale during exposure to microwave irradiation.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said desulphurizing additive comprises a member selected from the group consisting of granulated limestone, CaCO 3 , CaO, MgO, MgO—CaO, NaOH, KOH and NaHCO 3 .  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said in-situ source of hydrogen comprises NaBH 4 , TiH 2 , KH, CuH, ZnH, NaH, CzH and NiH 0 5 .  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oil sand or shale further contains a catalyst.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said catalyst comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a para ferromagnetic material, iron, copper and nickel.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said desulphurizing additive is contained in an amount between approximately 0.5 to 25 w % based upon the weight of the fuel oil being processed.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said oil sand or shale is exposed to microwave irradiation to reduce water within said oil sand or shale.