Solvent extraction spherical agglomeration of oil sands

Oil sands and similar hydrocarbon-solids mixtures are separated into their components by steps comprising: mixing with a solvent for the hydrocarbon in an extraction-contacting stage including a controlled light milling action, in the presence of hydrophilic bridging liquid, under selected conditions favoring the formation of large agglomerates of substantially all hydrophilic solids; controlling the milling action to break down continuously the agglomerates so that at equilibrium the agglomerate size is much smaller than expected; separating the agglomerates from the concentrated hydrocarbon solution and stripping solvent from this solution to leave hydrocarbon product; washing the agglomerates with solvent and recycling this dilute wash solution preferably to the extraction-contacting; desolventizing the agglomerates and recycling solvent preferably to the wash stage. The agglomerates have fast settling and draining properties and a low hydrocarbon content while the hydrocarbon product has a low solids content. An apparatus for carrying out this process is described.