Recovery of bitumen from oilsands: gelation of ultra-fine clay in the primary separation vessel

We used a 2H NMR method to measure both the rate and degree of gelation of ultra-fines suspensions separated from oilsands. Sludging conditions are reached when the ultra-fines concentration is between about 1.5 and 2.0 w/w%. Measurement of ultra-fines gelation times showed them to be of the same order as slurry residence time in the PSV. Laboratory jar tests have demonstrated that poor segregation of oilsands components can be correlated with the gelation conditions determined by NMR measurements.