Patent attributes
A high temperature paraffinic froth treatment (HTPFT) process utilizes an unheated flash vessel as a first stage of solvent recovery in a paraffinic solvent recovery unit (PSRU) to minimize asphaltene precipitation and fouling in subsequent stages of solvent recovery. The HTPFT may utilize a heat pump circuit for heat integration in the PSRU where a first stage of solvent recovery is at a lower temperature than a second stage of solvent recovery. Froth entering froth separation vessels can be heated using heat in a tailings stream using a heat pump. Froth separation vessels used to separate froth for collecting a bitumen-containing overflow utilize a collector pot and conventional feedwell combination, or a combination of a collection ring and nozzle arrangement for reducing disturbance in the vessel and improving collection of the overflow.
