Synchrotron X-ray imaging study on the mechanism of solids transfer to bitumen froth during oil sands flotation 2: Water entrainment
Understanding the mechanisms of solids carryover in bitumen froth production remains a significant challenge due to the lack of in-situ visualization of particles within such a complex multiphase system. Building upon our previous synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Cleaner Engineering and Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666790825001594 |
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| Summary: | Understanding the mechanisms of solids carryover in bitumen froth production remains a significant challenge due to the lack of in-situ visualization of particles within such a complex multiphase system. Building upon our previous synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging with a 6.5 μm voxel size, this study achieved a higher resolution with voxel size of 3.6 μm, enabling clear visualization of mineral grains approximately down to 20 μm in size. For the first time, we successfully differentiated water and bitumen phases in real time within bitumen froth. This breakthrough allowed direct observation of fine particle behavior and their association with either the water or bitumen phase. High-resolution characterization confirmed our earlier finding that approximately 40 % of solids attached to bubbles and are transported to the froth through true flotation. The enhanced resolution further revealed that heavy minerals are more likely to undergo true flotation than sand particles, which is attributed to their stronger hydrophobicity after bitumen coating. Wettability measurements showed that bitumen-coated rutile had a contact angle of 128°, significantly higher than the 95° for bitumen-coated quartz. Beyond true flotation, X-ray imaging showed that about 80 % of fluid phase particles resided in water, indicating significant water entrainment. These findings suggest that reducing water content in the froth could help lower solids entrainment. Overall, this study provides new insight into the mechanisms of unwanted solids carryover during oil sands flotation, and offers potential strategies to improve bitumen froth quality with fewer solids. These include controlling water content, particle hydrophobicity, and fine particle behavior. |
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| ISSN: | 2666-7908 |