A rapid method for the determination of bitumen, water, and solids in oil sands

Abstract

A simple and rapid method has been developed to measure the bitumen, water, and solids content of Athabasca oil sand samples in order to efficiently serve both plant operations and research needs. A solvent blend of 74% toluene and 26% isopropyl alcohol extracts both the bitumen and the water from the solids producing a homogeneous liquid phase. The bitumen is determined gravimetrically on an aliquot of this solution. A Karl Fischer titration is used to measure the water concentration. Solids are measured gravimetrically or can be reported by difference. Mass balances between 99.05 and 100.25% are achieved routinely.