Method and device for extraction of liquids from a solid particle material

Abstract

A method, system, and device for separating oil from oil sands or oil shale is disclosed. The method includes heating the oil sands, spinning the heated oil sands, confining the sand particles mechanically, and recovering the oil substantially free of the sand. The method can be used without the addition of chemical extraction agents. The system includes a source of centrifugal force, a heat source, a separation device, and a recovery device. The separation device includes a method of confining the sands while allowing the oil to escape, such as through an aperture.

1 . A method for separating oil from oil sands comprising:
 heating the oil sands;   spinning the heated oil sands;   confining mechanically sand particles present in the oil sands away from the oil, and   recovering the oil substantially free of the sand.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oil sands are heated to approximately 25-200° C. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oils sands are heated to approximately 92° C.-110° C. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particles are confined away from the oil by an aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the aperture is about 0.40 to about 1.5 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the aperture is about 0.80 to about 1.20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oil sands are subjected to centrifugal force. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the oil is extracted from the oil sands without the use of chemicals. 
     
     
         9 . A separation device for separating liquids from a solid particulate material, the separation device comprising:
 a structure for confining sand particles;   a structure for recovering the oil; and wherein   the separation device is subjected to centrifugal force.   
     
     
         10 . The separation device of  claim 9  wherein:
 the structure for confining sand particles comprises a first tube and a second tube; 
 the first tube and the second tube being dimensioned such that the first tube fits inside the second tube; 
 the first tube including at least one aperture sized smaller than the oil sand; 
 the first tube for confining the sand particles mechanically; and 
 the second tube for recovering the oil. 
 
     
     
         11 . The separation device of  claim 9 , wherein the structure for confining the particles has a clam shell formation comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion;   the first portion and the second portion being dimensioned to fit together with an aligning pivot;   the first portion including at least one cavity;   the second portion including at least one cavity that mirrors the cavity of the first portion; and   wherein, when the first portion and the second portion are fit together, the cavity in the first portion and the cavity in the second portion align to form one cavity; and   the cavities terminate to form an aperture through which oil escapes; and   the aperture is dimensioned to confine the sand particles within the cavity.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the aperture is about 0.40 to about 1.5 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the aperture is about 0.80 to about 1.20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The separation device of  claim 9 , wherein the structure for confining the particles has a conical formation comprising:
 one or more walls;   the walls including apertures;   the walls also including baffles located along the interior of the conical separator;   the baffles being continuous and arranged radially; and   wherein the separation device further comprises a structure for recovering the oil.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the aperture is about 0.40 to about 1.5 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the aperture is about 0.80 to about 1.20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The separation device of  claim 9 , wherein the structure for confining the particles comprises:
 three or more planes;   the planes being freely rotatable about a central axis;   the central axis having a pivot;   the planes being oriented so that they form walls of a closed chamber when rotated to a closed formation;   the planes further including apertures through which oil escapes; and   a structure for recovering the oil.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the aperture is about 0.80 to about 1.20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The separation device of  claim 9 , the separation device wherein the structure for confining the particles comprises:
 a rotating main shaft;   a top piston and a bottom piston removably attached to the main shaft;   a filtering portion;   the filtering portion having a top band, a bottom band, and a screen;   the screen having apertures through which oil escapes;   the screen, the top piston, and the bottom piston being arranged such that the pistons may be raised or lowered out of the plane of the screen.   
     
     
         20 . A system for separating oil from oil sands comprising:
 a source of centrifugal force;   a heat source;   a separation device; and   a recovery device.