Solar Extraction of Tar from Tar Sand Using Hot Kerosene

Utilization of solar energy for the heating of kerosene to be used in the extraction of tar from tar sand was theoretically and experimentally investigated. The idea is to replace the working fluid of a conventional flat-plate collector with kerosene instead of water. Hot kerosene is stored in a tank at a temperature of 50–75°C after, which it flows through an extractor filled with tar sand. Thermal performance of collector was found and compared with that of a similar collector with water as a working fluid. Preliminary extractor performance was also found in terms of percentage of recovery versus kerosene temperature. It was found that the efficiency of the collector using water was reduced by 15% when the working fluid was replaced with kerosene, and this was in fair agreement with the theoretical prediction. It was also found that, for the tar sand sample used, the percentage of recovery approaches 30% as the extraction temperature was increased to 70°C. Further increase in extraction temperature had ...