Process and apparatus for separating tar from a tar sand mixture

A process and apparatus for separating tar from a tar sand mixture. The separating step is by a novel mechanical process avoiding the complication of heating, freezing and the use of solvents. In the process a suitable suspension liquid is added to a tar sand mixture which is then struck with a plurality of striker arms to separate tar from said particles and agglomerate tar into droplets. After the striking step, the sand particles are allowed to settle to the bottom and tar droplets rise and float, the tar droplets are skimmed off the mixture, and the tar droplets are also scraped off the striker arms. The resulting tar droplets are washed at least once to remove remaining sand particles.