Author: claimsbot

1. A positive active material for a lithium secondary battery comprising:
a core comprising a compound capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions; and
a compound attached to a surface of the core and represented by Chemical Formula 1:
Li1+xM(I)xM(II)2\u2212xSIyP3\u2212yO12\u2003\u2003Chemical Formula 1
wherein M(I) and M(II) are selected from the group consisting of Al, Zr, Hf, Ti, Ge, Sn, Cr, Nb, Ga, Fe, Sc, In, Y, La, Lu, and Mg, and 0<x\u22660.7, 0\u2266y\u22661.
2. The positive active material of claim 1, wherein the M(I) is Al and the M(II) is Ti.
3. The positive active material of claim 1, wherein the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 is attached to the core as a layer andor discrete particles.
4. The positive active material of claim 1, wherein the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 is Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3.
5. The positive active material of claim 1, wherein the core comprises an amount of about 96 wt % to about 98.5 wt % of the positive active material, and the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 comprises an amount of about 1.5 wt % to about 4 wt % of the positive active material.
6. The positive active material of claim 1, wherein the core comprises at least one composite oxide of lithium and a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, nickel, and a combination thereof.
7. A positive electrode comprising:
the positive active material of claim 1,
a conductive material, and
a binder.
8. A lithium secondary battery comprising the positive electrode of claim 7.
9. The lithium secondary battery of claim 8, wherein the lithium secondary battery is configured to operate at a charge cut-off voltage of 4.35V or higher.
10. A method of manufacturing a positive active material for a lithium secondary battery comprising:
mixing a Li source, a M(I) source, a M(II) source, and a phosphate source to prepare a mixture;
heating the mixture to prepare a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1:
Li1+xM(I)xM(II)2\u2212xSiyP3\u2212yO12\u2003\u2003Chemical Formula 1
wherein M(I) and M(II) are selected from the group consisting of Al, Zr, Hf, Ti, Ge, Sn, Cr, Nb, Ga, Fe, Sc, In, Y, La, Lu, and Mg, and 0<x\u22660.7, 0\u2266y\u22661;
admixing a core comprising a material that reversibly intercalates and deintercalates lithium ions to the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 to prepare a mixed product; and
heating the mixed product.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the heating the mixture comprises;
heating the mixture to form a compound represented by the above Chemical Formula 1 in a first heating step;
pulverizing the compound obtained in the first heating step; and
heating the pulverized compound for crystallization in a second heating step,
wherein the first heating step is performed at a lower temperature than the second heating step.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the M(I) is Al and the M(II) is Ti.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 is Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the core comprises a composite oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, nickel, and a combination thereof, and lithium.
15. A positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery comprising a positive active material prepared according to the method of claim 10, a conductive material, and a binder.
16. A lithium secondary battery comprising the positive electrode of claim 15.
17. The lithium secondary battery of claim 16, configured to operate at a charge cut-off voltage of 4.35V or higher.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A pipette mandrel for engagement with the interior wall of a pipette tip, the pipette mandrel comprising:
a. an elongated hollow structure, the hollow structure including a proximate end and a distal end;
b. a lead-in portion formed on the distal end of the hollow structure;
c. a first cylindrical portion adjacent to the lead-in portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter,;
d. a second cylindrical portion adjacent to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter that is greater than the first exterior diameter;
e. a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band having a diameter greater that than the first exterior diameter of the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band for contacting the interior wall of the pipette tip to form a first seal between the first raised band and the pipette tip; and
f. a second raised band positioned upon the second cylindrical portion, the second raised band having a diameter greater that than the second exterior diameter of the second cylindrical portion, the second raised band for contacting the interior wall of the pipette tip to form a second seal between the second raised band and the pipette tip.
2. The pipette mandrel of claim 1 wherein the first raised band is adjacent to the lead-in portion such that the lead-in portion tapers into the first raised band.
3. The pipette mandrel of claim 1 further comprising a taper between the first and second cylindrical portion.
4. The pipette mandrel of claim 3, wherein the second raised band is positioned on the end of the second cylindrical portion substantially adjacent to the taper.
5. A pipette assembly comprising:
a. a pipette tip including a collar portion and an adjacent head, the head for receiving or expelling fluids from the tip, the collar portion including an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter and a second interior diameter separated by a step portion, the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip further comprising a positive stop and the interior cylindrical wall void of any raised sealing rings; and
b. a hollow mandrel having a proximate end and a distal end, the mandrel comprising:
(1) a lead-in portion formed on the distal end of the mandrel;
(2) a first cylindrical portion adjacent to the lean-in lead-in portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter;
(3) a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band having a diameter greater that than the first exterior diameter of the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band contacting the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a first seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip first non-resilient raised band and the interior cylindrical wall; and
(4) a second cylindrical portion adjacent to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter.
6. The pipette assembly of claim 5 wherein a flange between the collar portion and conical the head is the positive stop.
7. The pipette assembly of claim 5 A pipette assembly comprising:
a. a pipette tip including a collar portion and an adjacent head, the head for receiving or expelling fluids from the tip, the collar portion including an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter and a second interior diameter separated by a step portion, the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip further comprising a positive stop, wherein a puller ring on the interior wall of the pipette tip is the positive stop, and the interior cylindrical wall void of any raised sealing rings; and
b. a hollow mandrel having a proximate end and a distal end, the mandrel comprising: (1) a lead-in portion formed on the distal end of the mandrel; (2) a first cylindrical portion adjacent to the lead-in portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter; (3) a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band having a diameter greater than the first exterior diameter of the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band contacting the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a first seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip; and (4) a second cylindrical portion adjacent to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter.
8. The pipette assembly of claim 7 wherein the collar portion of the pipette tip further comprises vertical ribs positioned on the exterior of the collar portion of the pipette tip.
9. The pipette assembly of claim 5 wherein the mandrel further includes a second cylindrical portion adjacent to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter collar portion comprises a mouth comprising a funnel-shaped taper.
10. The pipette assembly of the claim 9 wherein the mandrel further includes a second raised band positioned upon the second cylindrical portion, the second raised band having a diameter greater than the second exterior diameter of the second: cylindrical portion.
11. The pipette assembly of claim 10 A pipette assembly comprising:
a. a pipette tip including a collar portion and an adjacent head, the head for receiving or expelling fluids from the tip, the collar portion including an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter and a second interior diameter separated by a step portion, the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip further comprising a positive stop and the interior cylindrical wall void of any raised sealing rings, wherein the collar portion comprises a mouth comprising a funnel -shaped taper; and
b. a hollow mandrel having a proximate end and a distal end, the mandrel comprising: (1) a lead-in portion formed on the distal end of the mandrel; (2) a first cylindrical portion adjacent to the lead-in portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter; (3) a first raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band having a diameter greater than the first exterior diameter of the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band contacting the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a first seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip; and (4) a second cylindrical portion adjacent to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter, wherein the mandrel further includes a second raised band positioned upon the second cylindrical portion, the second raised band having a diameter greater than the second exterior diameter of the second cylindrical portion, wherein the second raised band contacts the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a second seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip.
12. A method for connecting a pipette mandrel to a pipette tip comprising:
a. providing a pipette tip comprising a collar portion and an adjacent conical head, the conical head for receiving or expelling fluids from the tip, the collar portion including an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter;
b. providing a hollow mandrel having a proximate end and a distal end, the mandrel comprising:
(1) a lead-in portion formed on the distal end of the mandrel;
(2) a first cylindrical portion adjacent to the lead-in portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter,
(3) a first non-resilient raised band portioned positioned upon the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band having a diameter greater than the first exterior diameter; and
(4) a second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter that is greater than the first exterior diameter; and
(5) a second raised band positioned upon the second cylindrical portion, the second raised band having a diameter greater that than the second exterior diameter of the second cylindrical portion; and

c. inserting said pipette tip onto said mandrel such that the first non-resilient raised band contacts the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a first seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip and the second raised band contacting the cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a second seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip.
13. The method of claim 12 comprising the step of removing the pipette tip from the mandrel such that the first raised band disengages the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion.
14. A pipette tip and mandrel assembly comprising:
a. a mandrel comprising
(1) a first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter, the first cylindrical portion having a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion;
(2) a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter different than the first exterior diameter; and

b. a pipette tip positioned upon the mandrel, the pipette tip comprising
(1) a head for receiving and expelling liquids;
(2) a collar connected to the head, the collar designed and adapted to fit over the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, the collar comprising an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter portion and a second interior diameter portion such that the diameter of the second interior diameter portion is different than the diameter of the first interior diameter portion; wherein the first interior diameter portion of the collar engages the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel to form a first seal, and the second interior diameter portion of the collar fits over the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel.
15. The pipette and mandrel assembly of claim 14 wherein the mandrel further comprises a second non-resilient raised band positioned upon the second cylindrical portion.
16. The pipette and mandrel assembly of claim 15 A pipette tip and mandrel assembly comprising:
a. a mandrel comprising (1) a first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter, the first cylindrical portion having a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion; (2) a second cylindrical portion comprising a second non-resilient raised band positioned upon the second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter different than the first exterior diameter; and
b. a pipette tip positioned upon the mandrel, the pipette tip comprising (1) a head for receiving and expelling liquids; (2) a collar connected to the head, the collar designed and adapted to fit over the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, the collar comprising an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter portion and a second interior diameter portion such that the diameter of the second interior diameter portion is different than the diameter of the first interior diameter portion; wherein the first interior diameter portion of the collar engages the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel to form a first seal, and the second interior diameter portion of the collar fits over the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, wherein the second interior diameter portion of the collar engages the second non-resilient raised band of the mandrel to form a second seal.
17. The pipette and mandrel assembly of claim 14 A pipette tip and mandrel assembly comprising:
a. a mandrel comprising (1) a first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter, the first cylindrical portion having a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion; (2) a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter different than the first exterior diameter; and
b. a pipette tip positioned upon the mandrel, the pipette tip comprising (1) a head for receiving and expelling liquids; (2) a collar connected to the head, the collar designed and adapted to fit over the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, the collar comprising an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter portion and a second interior diameter portion such that the diameter of the second interior diameter portion is different than the diameter of the first interior diameter portion; wherein the first interior diameter portion of the collar engages the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel to form a first seal between the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel and the first interior diameter portion of the collar, wherein the second interior diameter portion of the collar fits over the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, wherein the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip is void of any raised sealing rings.
18. The pipette assembly of claim 14 wherein the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip further comprises a positive stop.
19. A pipette tip for use with a mandrel, the pipette tip comprising
a head for receiving and expelling liquids; and
a collar connected to the head and comprising a first internal cylindrical surface region that is divided by a molded internal ring, the molded internal ring serving as a positive stop for the mandrel when the mandrel is inserted into the pipette tip, wherein the diameter of the first cylindrical surface region is substantially the same on either side of the molded internal ring immediately adjacent to either side of the molded internal ring.
20. The pipette tip of claim 19 wherein the collar comprises a second internal cylindrical surface region such that the diameter of the second internal cylindrical surface region is different than the diameter of the first internal cylindrical surface region.
21. The pipette tip of claim 20 wherein the mandrel comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, wherein the first cylindrical portion comprises a first non-resilient raised band, and wherein the first interior diameter portion of the collar is adapted to engage the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel to form a first seal, and the second interior diameter portion of the collar is adapted to fit over the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel.
22. The pipette tip of claim 21 wherein the first and second internal surface regions are void of any raised sealing rings.
23. The pipette tip of claim 20 further comprising a tapered portion between the first internal cylindrical surface region and the second internal cylindrical surface region.
24. The pipette tip of claim 22 wherein the head comprises a conical shape.
25. The pipette tip of claim 20 wherein the first and second internal surface regions are void of any raised sealing rings.
26. The pipette tip of claim 19 wherein the pipette tip comprises polypropylene.
27. The pipette tip of claim 19 wherein the collar comprises a mouth defined by a rim and a funnel-shaped taper.
28. The pipette tip of claim 19 wherein the head is conically shaped.
29. The pipette tip of claim 19 wherein the collar further comprises a plurality of axial ribs.
30. The pipette tip of claim 20 wherein the mandrel comprises a first sealing feature and a second sealing feature, wherein the first interior diameter portion of the collar is adapted to engage the first sealing feature of the mandrel to form a first seal, and the second interior portion of the collar is adapted to engage the second sealing feature of the mandrel to form a second seal.
31. A pipette tip for use with a mandrel, the pipette tip comprising
a head for receiving and expelling liquids, wherein the head further comprises a plurality of puller rings formed in an interior of the head; and
a collar connected to the head and comprising a molded internal ring, which serves as a positive stop for the mandrel when the mandrel is inserted into the pipette tip.
32. A pipette tip configured to engage a mandrel comprising a first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter, the first cylindrical portion having a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion; and a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter different than the first exterior diameter, wherein the pipette tip comprises:
a head for receiving and expelling liquids; and
a collar connected to the head, the collar designed and adapted to fit over the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, the collar comprising an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter portion and a second interior diameter portion such that the diameter of the second interior diameter portion is different than the diameter of the first interior diameter portion,
wherein the first interior diameter portion of the collar is configured to engage the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel to form a first seal between the first interior diameter portion of the interior cylindrical wall of the collar and the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel, and the second interior diameter portion of the collar is configured to fit over the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, wherein the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip is void of any raised sealing rings.
33. The pipette tip of claim 32 wherein the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip further comprises a positive stop.
34. A pipette tip configured to engage a mandrel comprising a first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter, the first cylindrical portion having a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion; and a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter different than the first exterior diameter, wherein the pipette tip comprises:
a head for receiving and expelling liquids; and
a collar connected to the head, the collar designed and adapted to fit over the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, the collar comprising an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter portion and a second interior diameter portion such that the diameter of the second interior diameter portion is different than the diameter of the first interior diameter portion, wherein the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip is void of any raised sealing rings, wherein the interior cylindrical wall of the pipette tip further comprises a positive stop, wherein the positive stop is in the form of a molded internal ring,
wherein the first interior diameter portion of the collar is configured to engage the first non-resilient raised band of the mandrel to form a first seal, and the second interior diameter portion of the collar is configured to fit over the second cylindrical portion of the mandrel.
35. A method for connecting a pipette mandrel to a pipette tip, the pipette tip comprising a collar portion and an adjacent conical head, the conical head for receiving or expelling fluids from the tip, the collar portion including an interior cylindrical wall having a first interior diameter, and the mandrel having a proximate end and a distal end, the mandrel comprising: (1) a lead-in portion formed on the distal end of the mandrel; (2) a first cylindrical portion adjacent to the lead-in portion, the first cylindrical portion having a first exterior diameter, (3) a first non-resilient raised band positioned upon the first cylindrical portion, the first raised band having a diameter greater than the first exterior diameter; and (4) a second cylindrical portion having a second exterior diameter that is greater than the first exterior diameter; and (5) a second raised band positioned upon the second cylindrical portion, the second raised band having a diameter greater that the second exterior diameter of the second cylindrical portion, the method comprising:
inserting said pipette tip onto said mandrel such that the first non-resilient raised band contacts the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a first seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip and the second raised band contacting the cylindrical wall of the collar portion to form a second seal between the mandrel and the pipette tip.
36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of removing the pipette tip from the mandrel such that the first raised band disengages the interior cylindrical wall of the collar portion.

1. A method for selectively depositing a polymer in spatially selected regions, comprising:
providing a substrate comprising a substrate surface, the substrate surface comprising a patterned electrically conductive portion and an electrically non-conductive portion;
contacting the substrate surface with an aqueous solution comprising a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide dissolved in the aqueous solution;
and
subjecting the aqueous solution to electrochemically treatment to deposit, with spatial selectivity, the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide on the patterned electrically conductive portion.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide comprises an ionizable group that is ionized to provide a positive charge.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the ionizable group comprises a member selected from an, an alkyl amine group, a primary amine group, a secondary amine group, a tertiary amine group, a guanidinium group, an imidazole group, an indole group, a purine group, a pyrimidine group, and a pyrrole group.
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the ionizable group comprises a primary amine group.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide comprises chitosan.
6. A method according to claim 2, further comprising treating the deposited selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide with a sufficiently basic solution to stabilize the deposited selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide comprises an ionizable group that is ionized to provide a negative charge.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the ionizable group comprises a member selected from an alkoxide group, carboxyl group, hydroxy acid group, phenolic group, phosphate group, and sulfhydryl group.
9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising treating the deposited selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide with a sufficiently acidic solution to stabilize the deposited selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a non-conducting, inorganic material.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the substrate comprises silicon.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the patterned electrically conductive portion comprises gold.
13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising modifying the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide to improve conjugatability with a reactive group of a component to be coupled to the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide.
14. A method according to claim 1, further comprising coupling a component to the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide, the component selected from a biomolecule and cellular species.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said coupling is performed prior to the electrochemical treatment.
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein said coupling is performed subsequent to the electrochemical treatment.
17. A method according to claim 14, wherein said coupling comprises covalently bonding the component directly or indirectly to the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide.
18. A method according to claim 14, wherein said coupling comprises covalently bonding the component to chitosan.
19. A method according to claim 14, wherein the component comprise one, two, three or more enzyme species.
20. A method according to claim 14, wherein the component comprise one, two, three or more antibody species.
21. A method according to claim 14, wherein the component comprise one, two, three or more receptor molecule species.
22. A method according to claim 14, wherein the component comprise one, two, three or more nucleic acid molecule species.
23. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
suspending a nanoscale component in the aqueous solution; and
physically entrapping and immobilizing the nanoscale component in the polysaccharide deposited on the patterned electrically conductive portion.
24. A method for selectively depositing a polymer in spatially localized regions of a micro-electrochemical device, comprising:
providing a micro-electromechanical device comprising a substrate surface, the substrate surface comprising a patterned electrically conductive portion and an electrically non-conductive portion;
contacting the substrate surface with an aqueous solution comprising a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide dissolved in the aqueous solution; and
subjecting the aqueous solution to electrochemically treatment to deposit, with spatial selectivity, the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide on the patterned electrically conductive portion.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the device comprises microchannels fabricated in a substrate such that electrodes are located within the microchannels to enable selective electrodeposition using fluidic flow in the microchannels.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of recovering hydrocarbons, comprising:
providing a bitumen-froth emulsion containing asphaltenes and mineral solids;
adding a solvent to the bitumen-froth emulsion to induce a rate of settling of at least a portion of the asphaltenes and mineral solids from the bitumen-froth emulsion and generate a solvent bitumen-froth mixture; and
adding water droplets by a spray nozzle system to the solvent bitumen-froth mixture to increase the rate of settling of the at least a portion of the asphaltenes and mineral solids, wherein the water droplets are added in a concentration of from about 0.01 weight percent (wt %) relative to bitumen to about 10 wt % relative to bitumen, and wherein the addition of the water droplets increases the size of the asphaltenes from about 10 microns to at least about 1,000 microns.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent is a paraffinic solvent to form a paraffinic froth-treated (PFT) bitumen stream.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the solvent bitumen-froth mixture in at least a first separation vessel to form a processed solvent bitumen-froth mixture and a separation tailings stream.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising processing the separation tailings stream in at least a second separation vessel.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the water droplets are added to the solvent bitumen-froth mixture before the solvent bitumen-froth mixture is processed in the first separation vessel.
6. The method of claim 3, further comprising adding the water droplets to the separation tailings stream before the separation tailings stream is added to the second separation vessel.
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the water droplets are added in the first separation vessel.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the water is added above or below a feed injection point in the first or separation vessel.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the water droplets are one of fresh river water, distilled water from a solvent recovery unit, recycled water, rain water, or aquifer water.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the addition of the water droplets increases the rate of settling by a factor of greater than two.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: optimizing a variable selected from the group consisting of: water-to-bitumen ratio, water droplet size, temperature, solvent addition rate, location of water addition, mixing energy, and any combination thereof.
12. A method of recovering hydrocarbons, comprising:
providing a bitumen-froth emulsion containing asphaltenes and mineral solids;
adding a solvent to the bitumen-froth emulsion to induce a rate of settling of at least a portion of the asphaltenes and mineral solids from the bitumen-froth emulsion and generate a solvent bitumen-froth mixture;
producing water droplets at a size of at least about 1 micron to about 1,000 microns; and
adding the water droplets by a spray nozzle system to the solvent bitumen-froth mixture to increase the rate of settling of the at least a portion of the asphaltenes and mineral solids, wherein the water droplets are added in a concentration of from about 0.01 weight percent (wt %) relative to bitumen to about 10 wt % relative to bitumen, and wherein the addition of the water droplets increases the size of the asphaltenes from about 10 microns to at least about 1,000 microns.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising processing the solvent bitumen-froth mixture in at least a first separation vessel to form a processed solvent bitumen-froth mixture and a separation tailings stream.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the water droplets are added to the solvent bitumen-froth mixture before the solvent bitumen-froth mixture is processed in the first separation vessel.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the water droplets are added in one of the first separation vessel.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the addition of the water droplets increases the rate of settling by a factor of greater than two.
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising optimizing the water droplet size.
18. The method of claim 3, further comprising adding the water droplets in the second separation vessel.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the additional water droplets are added above or below a feed injection point in the second separation vessel.