Wettability determination of solids isolated from oil sands

The purpose of this study is to determine the wettability of solids isolated from oil sands. The fine (−45 μm) and coarse (+106 μm −250 μm) fractions of the mineral solids were extracted from different Athabasca oil sands ores using water-based extraction in a Denver flotation cell. Four different methods were used to characterize the wettability of solids, i.e., contact angle, critical surface tension, hydrophilic/hydrophobic partitioning, and water drop penetration time (WDPT). Advantages and limitations of these methods were discussed. WDPT measurements were found to be the most sensitive for determining wettability of the solids extracted from oil sands. The effect of the protocol for isolating the solids from oil sands on solids surface properties was investigated. Solvent washing and solids drying were found to affect the wettability of the solids. Solids wettability measurements were corroborated with surface composition of the solids as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.