Infrared reflectance hyperspectral features of Athabasca oil sand ore and froth

The separability of bitumen from oil sand depends on a number of factors. Some of these factors are observable using reflectance spectrometry in the infrared range. Bitumen recovery performance tests were conducted using a Denver cell for water flotation of aerated bitumen froth under a standard set of operating conditions. Hyperspectral measurements were made of ore samples and oil froth. Features associated with bitumen, quartz, and clay were readily visible in samples and in the froth at the surface of the cell. We examine the use of spectral information to predict the bitumen and fines content of ore samples, the relationship of these variables to froth colour, and the possibility of classifying froth types using spectra. Future work will examine these results in the context of oil separation performance. Detailed analysis of mineralogy is proceeding to understand links to performance and froth spectroscopy.