Abstract: This invention is an improvement of the prior art in that the properties, as well as the molecular structure of the coker heater charge material are altered by hydrogeneration under conidtions of pressure and temperature typically operated for a conventional delayed coking process. Hydrogeneation of the heater charge material is accomplished in a soaking pipe provided with static mixers for up to 90 minutes fluid residence time thereby improving the quality and yields of products from the process.

Abstract: The impediments of the prior art of delayed coking to enhanced hydrocarbons and minimum coke yields by way of pressure, temperature and recycle ratio have been minimized through the use of an interim drum between the heater and the coke drum, called in this invention as the flasher drum, whereby the heater effluent's vapor is separated from its liquid portion which serves as the feed to the coke drum. The vapors from the flasher and coke drums are hence combined and fed to the fractionator for separation of products. This process of separating the coke drum and flasher drum vapors effects the control of hydrocarbon partial pressure and therefore the subsequent controlled vaporization of the heavy hydrocarbons in the coke drum which would otherwise react extensively in repetitive fashion to produce more coke than necessary.