OIL BITUMEN PRODUCTION PROCESS AND INSTALLATION Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: petroleum processing. SUBSTANCE: oil stock is blown out with air in column apparatus separated into three zone: (i) mixing zone disposed in middle part of apparatus and formed by space between film oxidation devices distributed along the height of apparatus, (ii) recirculation zone disposed above mixing zone, and (iii) afteroxidation zone disposed below mixing zone. Oil stock gets into mixing zone wherein it is mixed with bitumen preliminarily prepared in recirculation zone and the other part of mixture in fed into afteroxidation zone, from which commercial bitumen is discharged. Bitumen production installation is described. EFFECT: increased fullness of oxidation due to intensification of process, simplified technology, improved reliability and longevity of equipment. 4 cl, 1 dwg