Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1978-1979
Title: Innovations of Kenneth Porteous in Bitumen Recovery
Introduction
Kenneth Porteous is a notable inventor based in Edmonton, Canada, recognized for his contributions to the field of bitumen recovery. With a total of three patents to his name, Porteous has made significant advancements in the processes used for extracting bitumen from tar sands.
Latest Patents
One of Porteous's latest patents is focused on the "Process for secondary recovery of bitumen in hot water extraction of tar." This innovation reveals that tank-type air flotation cells are more efficient when treating hot water process middlings containing more than 3% bitumen, compared to trough-type air flotation cells. Conversely, trough-type cells outperform tank-type cells when dealing with middlings containing less than 3% bitumen. This led to the proposal of a secondary recovery circuit where middlings are first treated in tank-type cells in series, followed by treatment in trough-type cells. Another significant patent involves the "Treatment of tumbler reject," which describes a method where oversized material rejected from a tumbler is mixed with slurry flood water and subjected to heating to disperse the bitumen associated with the rejects. This process results in a bitumen-containing slurry that is combined with the original tumbler slurry for flotation to recover bitumen.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Kenneth Porteous has worked with prominent companies such as Ontario Energy Corporation and Imperial Oil Limited. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in the field of bitumen extraction and recovery.
Collaborations
Porteous has collaborated with notable individuals in his field, including William Lavender and Leigh Falkenberg. These partnerships have likely enhanced his innovative approaches and contributed to the success of his patents.
Conclusion
Kenneth Porteous's work in the field of bitumen recovery showcases his innovative spirit and dedication to improving extraction processes. His patents reflect a deep understanding of the complexities involved in bitumen extraction, making significant contributions to the industry.