The invention relates to a use of a reversible molten salt for separating hydrocarbons, such as crude bitumen and/or heavy crude oil, from material comprising mineral solids. The invention relates also to a method comprising at least the steps of: (a) bringing a liquid phase comprising a reversible molten salt, preferably a reversible ionic liquid, in a contact with mineral solids comprising hydrocarbons and extracting hydrocarbons to the liquid phase from the mineral solids; (b) separating the mineral solids phase from the liquid phase, which comprises molten salt and hydrocarbons; (c) separating hydrocarbons from the liquid phase comprising molten salt; and (d) recycling the liquid phase comprising molten salt to step (a).
本发明涉及一种可逆熔盐的用途,用于从包含矿物固体的材料中分离碳氢化合物,如原
沥青和/或重质原油。本发明还涉及一种方法,至少包括以下步骤(a) 使包含可逆熔盐(最好是可逆
离子液体)的液相与包含碳氢化合物的矿物固体接触,并从矿物固体中提取碳氢化合物至液相;(b) 从包含熔盐和碳氢化合物的液相中分离矿物固体相;(c) 从包含熔盐的液相中分离碳氢化合物;以及 (d) 将包含熔盐的液相回收至步骤 (a)。