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Abstract: A preliminary characterization and beneficiation study of Jordanian tar sand obtained from the Dead Sea area has been carried out. Representative tar sand samples were crushed using a jaw crusher and sieved to different size fractions. Characterization of these size fractions revealed that most of the bitumen content was concentrated in the smallest size fraction (<106μm). Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the structure of the tar sand is composed of quartz particles of <1mm in size surrounded by a bitumen containing envelope which can be regarded as a binder. The pyrolysis kinetics of the material was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the relationship with heating rate was derived. The mass loss obtained from TGA was found to be independent of the heating rate at 35% of the original mass. Three regions of differing kinetic parameters were identified during pyrolysis; a low temperature pyrolysis region, a fuel deposition region and a high temperature pyrolysis region. It was found that the activation energy, in the region of fuel deposition, changes from 32kJ/mol to 42kJ/mol by increasing the heating rate from 1°C/min to 50°C/min, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Different parameters affecting the behavior of froth flotation of Jordanian tar sand, obtained from the Dead Sea area, were studied. This study was performed in a modified fluidized bed floatator. The effects of the addition of a flotation agent, NaOH, temperature and flotation time on the beneficiation of bitumen in the froth were investigated. It was found that the beneficiation factor in the froth increased with the increase of temperature and flotation time. However, the amount of base (NaOH) and the flotation agent were found to have a negative effect on that factor. A regression model based on a full factorial experimental design results was obtained with a significant correlation coefficient. The optimum beneficiation factor was found to be 7.2 and the bitumen content in the froth was found to be 79% in the froth, which was obtained at 0.2gNaOH/L, zero agent, 80°C, and 30min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]