METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSPORTING BITUMEN IN SOLIDIFIED FORM
A solid bitumen pellet, including a mixture of bitumen and an additive, where the additive operates to increase the viscosity of the mixture. Optionally, the pellet includes a protective shell.
1 .- 19 . (canceled)
20 . A substantially solid pellet comprising:
a) a pellet body comprising non-volatile bituminous material; and
b) an irregular outer surface defining the pellet body, the outer surface comprising a plurality of non-planar surfaces configured to substantially reduce surface contact with other pellets positioned nearby.
21 . The pellet of claim 20 , wherein the pellet body has a shape selected from generally spherical, generally cylindrical, generally discoidal, generally tabular, generally ellipsoidal, generally flaky, generally acicular, generally ovoidal, generally pillow shaped and any combinations thereof.
22 . The pellet of claim 20 , wherein the pellet body has a generally lozenge-like shape.
23 . The pellet of claim 20 , wherein the irregular outer surface comprises a plurality of edges.
24 . The pellet of claim 23 , wherein the pellet body has a cross-sectional dimension that varies along a longitudinal axis of the substantially solid pellet.
25 . The pellet of claim 24 , wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the pellet tapers towards a longitudinal end of the substantially solid pellet.
26 . The pellet of claim 20 , further comprising buoyant features disposed within the pellet body.
27 . The pellet of claim 20 , further comprising an internal web structure disposed within the pellet body.
28 . The pellet of claim 27 , wherein the internal web structure comprises a polymer.
29 . The pellet of claim 28 , wherein the internal web structure comprises a plurality of buoyant features.
30 . The pellet of claim 29 , wherein the plurality of buoyant features comprises pockets of gas formed within the polymer of the internal web structure.
31 . The pellet of claim 20 , further comprising a coating covering the outer surface.
32 . A substantially solid pellet comprising:
a) a pellet body shaped as an irregular solid and comprising non-volatile bituminous material and an additive; and
b) an irregular outer surface defining the pellet body, the outer surface comprising a plurality of non-planar surfaces.
33 . The pellet of claim 32 , wherein the pellet body has a shape selected from generally spherical, generally cylindrical, generally discoidal, generally tabular, generally ellipsoidal, generally flaky, generally acicular, generally ovoidal, generally pillow shaped and any combinations thereof.
34 . The pellet of claim 32 , wherein the pellet body has a generally lozenge-like shape.
35 . The pellet of claim 32 , wherein the irregular outer surface comprises a plurality of edges.
36 . The pellet of claim 32 , wherein the pellet body has a cross-sectional dimension that varies along a longitudinal axis of the substantially solid pellet.
37 . The pellet of claim 36 , wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the pellet tapers towards a longitudinal end of the substantially solid pellet.
38 . The pellet of claim 32 , further comprising buoyant features disposed within the pellet body.
39 . The pellet of claim 32 , further comprising an internal web structure disposed within the pellet body.
40 . The pellet of claim 39 , wherein the internal web structure comprises a polymer.
41 . The pellet of claim 40 , wherein the internal web structure comprises a plurality of buoyant features.
42 . The pellet of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of buoyant features comprises pockets of gas formed within the polymer of the internal web structure.
43 . The pellet of claim 32 , further comprising a coating covering the outer surface.
44 . The pellet of claim 32 , wherein the additive provides viscosity to the non-volatile bituminous material of the substantially solid pellet.
45 . A cargo including a plurality of substantially solid pellets, each solid pellet in said plurality of substantially solid pellets comprising:
c) a pellet body comprising non-volatile bituminous material; and
d) an irregular outer surface defining the pellet body, the outer surface comprising a plurality of non-planar surfaces configured to substantially reduce surface contact with other pellets amongst said plurality of solid pellets positioned nearby.
46 . The cargo of claim 45 , wherein the cargo is held in a railcar.