Selection of Extraction Solvents for Bitumen from Indonesian Oil Sands through Solubility Parameters

Indonesian oil sands were systematically separated to investigate their basic composition. The extraction effects of the solvents with different Hilderbrand solubility parameters (HSPs) on the bitumen of Indonesian oil sands were compared. Furthermore, the Hansen solubility combination parameter (HSCP) and Teas triangle were used to explore rules in the separation of oil sands bitumen via solvent extraction. Finally, the saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) fractions of the bitumen from Indonesian oil sands were analyzed. The results showed that the Indonesian oil sands were oil-wet with a bitumen content of 24.93%. The solvent extraction for bitumen could be accurately and conveniently selected based on the solubility parameter. When the HSPs of the extraction solvent were around 18-19 and the HSCPs were closer to a certain range (delta(d) = 17.5-18.0, delta(p) = 1-3.5, and delta(h) = 2-6), the extraction effect of bitumen from Indonesian oil sands improved, and the primary component affecting the extraction rate of bitumen were asphaltenes.