Recycle oil pyrolysis and extraction of tar sand

Western Research Institute is developing a new pyrolysis process called ROPE© (Recycle Oil Pyrolysis and Extraction) for recovering products from tar sands that require a minimum of upgrading to produce finished, marketable fuels or that can be used as a diluent to decrease the pour point of bitumen for transportation. The concept consists of two pyrolysis steps: (1) retorting tar sand at a lower temperature (T < 420°C) with the bitumen and product oil; and (2) completing the pyrolysis of the residue at a higher temperature (T > 420°C) in the absence of product oil recycle. Three tar sand resources, Asphalt Ridge (Utah), Sunnyside (Utah), and Athabasca (Alberta), have been investigated using a two-inch-diameter process development unit (PDU). Experimental results from three tar sands indicate that oil yields from the ROPE© process will be greater than those from conventional pyrolysis processes. The product oils produced from each of the resources have been evaluated using selected analytical techniques. Differences were observed in the characteristics of the distillable liquid products from the three resources. These differences are discussed in relation to the potential end uses of the products. Depending upon the characteristics, unleaded gasoline blending stocks, diesel fuels, and aviation fuels can be produced.