Slurry transfer line

Abstract

Process and apparatus for the continuous separation of crude oil from tar sands include using a hydrocarbon diluent and an aqueous solution in one or more settling vessels. The light components from the oil are collected and recycled to be used as the hydrocarbon diluent, and the aqueous solution is collected and recycled. A second aqueous solution is introduced in the second and subsequent vessels to prevent the formation of an oil film on the equipment.

1 . A slurry transfer line, comprising:
 a line having a plurality of injection nozzles positioned in a helical pattern around the circumference of the line and along the length of line.   
     
     
         2 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 1 , wherein the injection nozzles are directed to inject liquid at an angle relative to the line. 
     
     
         3 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 1 , comprising a first and a second helical pattern defined by a first and a second plurality of injection nozzles. 
     
     
         4 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 1 , wherein the line is straight. 
     
     
         5 . A slurry transfer line, comprising:
 a line having a bend in the line with a plurality of injection nozzles positioned along the outer radius of the bend in the line.   
     
     
         6 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 5 , wherein the injection nozzles are directed to inject liquid at an angle relative to the line. 
     
     
         7 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 5 , further comprising injection nozzles positioned along the outer radius of the bend in the line. 
     
     
         8 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 5 , further comprising a straight line having a plurality of injection nozzles positioned in a helical pattern around the circumference of the straight line and along the length of the straight line. 
     
     
         9 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 8 , wherein the injection nozzles are directed to inject liquid at an angle relative to the straight line. 
     
     
         10 . The slurry transfer line of  claim 8 , further comprising a first and a second helical pattern defined by a first and a second plurality of injection nozzles. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transferring a slurry through a line, comprising:
 injecting a liquid through a plurality of injection nozzles spaced along the length of the line, wherein the nozzles are arranged in a helical pattern around the circumference of the line and along the length of the line; and   moving the slurry through the line while mixing the liquid with the slurry.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the slurry comprises tar sands and the liquid is an aqueous solution comprising a wetting agent and a specific gravity enhancing agent. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the speed of the slurry through the line is 6 feet per second or less. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the injection nozzles are angled with respect to the line. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the line includes a bend in the line and the bend has a plurality of nozzles spaced along the outer radius of the bend. 
     
     
         16 . A method for transferring tar sands through a line, comprising:
 providing the tar sands in a slurry transfer line having a plurality of injection nozzles spaced along and around the circumference; and   injecting a liquid through the nozzles to move the tar sands through the line while mixing the tar sands and the liquid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the liquid is an aqueous solution comprising a wetting agent and a specific gravity enhancing agent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the speed of the tar sands through the line is 6 feet per second or less. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the injection nozzles are angled with respect to the line. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the line includes a bend in the line and the bend has a plurality of nozzles spaced along the outer radius of the bend.