Ultrasound enhanced gradient elution of super heavy oil from weathered soils using TX100/SBDS mixed salt micellar solutions.

An ultrasound-enhanced five-stage gradient elution system employing mixed solutions of Triton X-100 (TX100), sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SBDS), and salt (abbr. MSTS) was used to elute super heavy oil from weathered soils. The use of ultrasound increased the elution of super heavy oil by 13-14% and improved first-stage dissolution and dispersion by 62%. However, the amount of super heavy oil dissolved or dispersed in the second through fifth elution stages was unchanged by the application of ultrasound. Saturated hydrocarbons were more quickly eluted in the first two stages. During the final three stages the order of elution for the four identified super heavy oil fractions was: asphaltenes>saturated hydrocarbons>aromatics>resins. A large number of elution stages aided in eluting markers containing a large number of C atoms in the absence of ultrasound. The elution at each stage was higher when ultrasound was employed, and ultrasound-enhanced elution is a potentially useful method for removing super heavy oil from weathered soils.