Experimental data for the extraction of Peace River bitumen using supercritical ethane

An apparatus was constructed capable of providing extraction data over a wide range of temperatures and pressures using a semi-batch extractor packed with a mixture of bitumen and sand. The results of the extraction of Peace River bitumen using supercritical ethane show that the quantity of recovered bitumen increased when the operating temperature was decreased or the pressure increased. Analysis of the extracted samples showed that the composition, viscosity and SARA fractions were lighter than the feed, had lower viscosities and were free of asphaltenes. The amount by which these properties changed was influenced by changes in the extraction conditions and at what time the samples were obtained during the extraction process.