LAUSR

Abstract Decreasing fine mineral solids content in bitumen product generated from non-aqueous extraction (NAE) of oil sands is an important requirement to ensure that the product quality meets the downstream process requirements. Two approaches may be used, one is to remove the fine solids from bitumen product after NAE extraction, and the other is to try to directly obtain low-solid-content bitumen during NAE extraction. The post NAE extraction clean-up methods include the use of polymers, antisolvents, water droplets, surface functionalized magnetic particles with or without an electric field, a magnetic field, and a hydrothermal treatment. Methods that may be able to directly yield clean bitumen product during NAE extraction include the use of small amount of water or ionic liquid, or the use of wettability-switchable solvents. Directions for future research are proposed.