Abstract: The process for the substantially total recovery of hydrocarbons from oil sands comprises:Preconditioning of the sands with diluent, possibly water (which may also be recycled from the process) and, preferably, with recycle extract; digestion of the homogeneous pulp, with (process) water; a first separation of the water-sand suspension from the hydrocarbon phase and from the digestion water; simultaneous washing and mixing of the solids separated from the bulk of the hydrocarbon phase in thick phase with overflowing water; a possible second separation of the dense solid mass from the excess liquid phase, the intermediate aqueous layer from the first separation (middlings) undergoing decantation and thickening and the solids so thickened undergoing centrifugation and stripping for the recovery of the limited proportions of diluent entrained with it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for treatment of feed in the form of a heavy hydrocarbon-water dispersion or dispersions. The feed is diluted with a hydrocarbon solvent and contacted in a contactor with a water stream. A product stream containing bitumen oils and a discard stream comprising water and solids are separately removed from the contactor.