METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OIL SANDS TAILINGS WITH HYDROGEN PROTONS, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND FERROUS IONS

摘要

There is provided a method of processing oil sands, the method comprisingcontacting waterwith oil sands to produce a suspension, wherein a fraction of bitumen isseparated from thesuspension to produce a bitumen-depleted suspension. The method additionallycomprisesseparating the clay particle suspension and/or fine particle suspension fromthe bitumen-depletedsuspension; treating the clay particle suspension and/or fine particlesuspension witha measured quantity of at least hydrogen protons, hydrogen peroxide andferrous ions toreduce the toxicity, gelation and water holding characteristics of the solidparticles, and reducethe toxicity of water; and separating the solid particles and water from thetreated clay particlesuspension and/or fine particle suspension for solids disposal and waterreuse.