Exprimental Result on the Hesting of Athabasca Tar Sand Samples with Microwave Power

Abstract

Tar sand samples were heated with microwave power, and the extraction of bitumen was studied. The experimental reactor produced a crude oil which is referred to as the microwave crude oil (MCO), Several gaseous byproducts were also produced with the MCO. The average molecular weight of the MCO was found to be lower than that of the original bitumen. The MCO is very similar to synthetic crude oil (SCO) and natural crude oil (NCO). The liberated gases were identified to be hydrogen (Hi) acetylene (CiHi), methane (CHA), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The total amount of these gaseous byproducts is relatively small. The reactor can be operated to extract up to 86% of the total bitumen present in the tar sand samples. The waste product of the microwave reactor consists of a small amount of carbon and the rest is virtually pure sand. No environmental problems are foreseen in the disposal of large quantities of this waste material.