The pyrolysis, extraction and kinetics of Buton oil sand bitumen

In this paper, the pyrolysis and extraction experiments on Buton oil sand bitumen were carried out. The contents of oil, water, gas, and semi-coke were determined and the pyrolysates were evaluated. The averaged oil content of Buton oil sand is about 20%. As measured by Dean–Stark toluene extraction, oil sand bitumen from Buton has the averaged bitumen content of about 30%. Three kinds of solvents were used to evaluate the bitumen recovery. The optimum conditions of solvent extraction were determined. The pyrolysates and bitumen were analyzed. The pyrolysis kinetics of oil sand were performed using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at different heating rates of 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C/min. The kinetic parameters (apparent activation energy E and frequency factor A) of oil sand pyrolysis were determined using Coats–Redfern method. The value of apparent activation energy E was about 20 kJ·mol− 1, corresponding to the conversion of 5–35%. The apparent activation energy was nearly 40 kJ·mol− 1 while the conversion ranges from 40% to 95%.

► A new solvent was used in experiment of oil sand extraction. ► The yield of extraction is close to the experiment using toluene. ► The Coats-Redfern model was used to calculate kinetics in oil sand and parameters were obtained. ► A lot of basic properties were analyzed. ► The basic data can provide theoretical basis for developing process of oil sands.