Patent ID: 8062512

Claim:
A bitumen-recovery process for use with a bitumen-containing composition and a separating composition, comprising the steps of: a. mixing the bitumen-containing composition with a first separating composition to produce a slurry; b. subjecting the slurry to high speed, high shear mixing to produce a mixed slurry; c. allowing the mixed slurry to separate into at least 3 layers comprising a first bitumen layer, a first separating composition layer, and a first solids layer; d. removing the first bitumen layer; e. mixing the first removed bitumen layer with additional a second separating composition to produce a mixed bitumen layer; f. allowing the mixed bitumen layer to separate into at least 3 layers comprising a second bitumen layer, a second separating composition layer and a second solids layer; g. removing the second bitumen layer; h. wherein the first bitumen layer contains 2% by weight or less of clay and sand, wherein the second bitumen layer contains at least 99% by weight of the bitumen present in the bitumen-containing composition and is at least 99% free of clay and sand.