Processes and systems are described for pre-treating variable flow bitumen froth prior to a froth treatment. The processes and systems include providing the variable flow of bitumen froth to a feed unit; using a regulator unit to adjust the feed unit in response to a variable flow to provide a regulated flow of bitumen froth; subjecting the regulated flow of the bitumen froth to screening, such as by using a screening unit, so as to remove debris from the regulated flow and produce screened bitumen froth and separated debris; and providing the screened bitumen froth into the froth treatment operation. Such processes and systems permit adaptability in response to froth or debris flow surges, while removing debris particles of various sizes. They further improve overall froth treatment operations, such as paraffinic froth treatment (PFT).
