Abstract: A process and process line is provided for the removal of a hydrocarbon diluent such as naphtha from hydrocarbon diluent diluted bitumen (“dilbit”) to produce a high viscosity non-hazardous bitumen product for transport, for example, in a railcar, tanker ship or barge. In particular, dilbit is fed into a fractionator having a plurality of steam stripping trays and is evenly distributed along the surface of the trays to increase the surface contact between the steam and dilbit. Steam is introduced below the trays such that the steam flows upward and counter-currently contacts the dilbit distributed on the trays to strip the diluent therefrom and produce the high viscosity non-hazardous bitumen product suitable for transport, for example, in railcars.