Abstract: A hydrocarbon source feed is upgraded using a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit employing a solvent having a critical temperature Tc by initially separating from a first hydrocarbon input stream fractions with an atmospheric equivalent boiling temperature less than about Tf° F. for producing a stream of Tf−fractions and a residue stream (Tf+ stream), where Tf is greater than about Tc−50° F. In the SDA unit, a second hydrocarbon input stream which includes the residue stream is deasphalted for producing a first product stream of substantially solvent-free asphaltenes, and a second product stream containing substantially solvent-free deasphalted oil (DAO). The source feed may be included in either the first or second input streams. The DAO in the second product stream is thermally cracked for producing an output stream that includes thermally cracked fractions and by-product asphaltenes produced by thermally cracking the DAO.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon source feed is upgraded using a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit employing a solvent having a critical temperature Tc by initially separating from a first hydrocarbon input stream fractions with an atmospheric equivalent boiling temperature less than about Tf°F. for producing a stream of Tf− fractions and a residue stream (Tf+ stream), where Tf is greater than about Tc−50° F. In the SDA unit, a second hydrocarbon input stream which includes the residue stream is deasphalted for producing a first product stream of substantially solvent-free asphaltenes, and a second product stream containing substantially solvent-free deasphalted oil (DAO). The source feed may be included in either the first or second input streams. The DAO in the second product stream is thermally cracked for producing an output stream that includes thermally cracked fractions and by-product asphaltenes produced by thermally cracking the DAO.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon source feed is upgraded using a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit employing a solvent having a critical temperature T.sub.c by initially separating from a first hydrocarbon input stream fractions with an atmospheric equivalent boiling temperature less than about T.sub.f .degree. F. for producing a stream of T.sub.f.sup.- fractions and a residue stream (T.sub.f.sup.+ stream), where T.sub.f is greater than about T.sub.c -50.degree. F. In the SDA unit, a second hydrocarbon input stream which includes the residue stream is deasphalted for producing a first product stream of substantially solvent-free asphaltenes, and a second product stream containing substantially solvent-free deasphalted oil (DAO). The source feed may be included in either the first or second input streams. The DAO in the second product stream is thermally cracked for producing an output stream that includes thermally cracked fractions and by-product asphaltenes produced by thermally cracking the DAO.

Abstract: An evaporative solvent recovery section operates on a plurality of liquid product streams including a liquid stream of deasphalted oil and solvent, and a liquid stream of asphaltene and solvent produced by a solvent deasphalting unit. Heat is added to one of the streams for producing a heated liquid product stream that is flashed to produce a stream of vaporized solvent, and a stream of reduced solvent liquid product. The stream of reduced solvent liquid product is further processed, without the addition of a significant amount of heat, to vaporize substantially all of the remaining solvent therein, and heat contained in the stream of vaporized solvent is recovered by expanding the stream in a vapor turbine.

Abstract: A fractioning solvent deasphalting plant applies a solvent whose critical temperature is T.sub.c to a hydrocarbon feed containing asphaltenes and atmospheric distillate having fractions that boil above about T.sub.c -50.degree. F. such that said feed is separated into a substantially solvent-free product stream of atmospheric distillate, a substantially solvent-free product stream containing deasphalted oil substantially free of said atmospheric distillate, and a substantially solvent-free product stream containing asphaltenes substantially free of said atmospheric distillate.

Abstract: A feed stream of asphaltene-containing residual oil is processed by contacting the feed stream with a solvent to form a first primary liquid stream containing deasphalted oil (DAO) and some solvent, and a second primary liquid stream containing asphaltene and some solvent. The first and second liquid streams are heated; and the heated streams are respectively processed to recover the solvent and to produce a DAO product stream substantially free of solvent, and an asphaltene product stream substantially free of solvent. A portion of the DAO product stream is heated to produce a stream of heated DAO, a portion of which indirectly heats the two primary liquid streams.

Abstract: Solvent deasphalting apparatus includes a separator that receives two inputs, a heavy hydrocarbon feed and a solvent feed; and the apparatus produces two outputs, an asphaltene/solvent stream and a deasphalted oil/solvent stream. A solvent recovery unit of the apparatus receives the two output streams and produces mainly a substantially solvent-free deasphalted oil product stream, a substantially solvent-free asphaltene product stream, and a recovered solvent stream which is returned to a solvent drum. A pump pumps a substantially constant volume of solvent from the solvent drum into a by-pass line connecting the pump to the solvent drum, and into a connection line connecting the pump to the separator. The amount of solvent flow in the connection line is functionally related to the level of heavy hydrocarbon feed so that solvent in excess of that flowing into the connection line and spills back to the solvent drum through the by-pass line.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating solvent in a feed of solvent and deasphalted oil produced in a deasphalting process includes a feed line for receiving the feed and constructed and arranged to produce a stream of fluid containing supercritical solvent and deasphalted oil. A substantially horizontally disposed inlet line receives the stream of fluid and is designed to effect two phase laminar flow at the outlet of the inlet line. The two phase laminar flow has a substantially horizontally disposed interface that divides the stream into an upper part containing the lighter supercritical solvent which floats on a lower part containing the heavier deasphalted oil.

Abstract: Power is generated in an organic Rankine cycle turbine by expanding a stream of solvent vapor produced by a flash drum in a deasphalting unit to produce a stream of expanded solvent vapor that is combined with a stream of solvent vapor and steam from a stripper of the deasphalting unit. Heat is extracted from the combined stream by an organic fluid that is vaporized and supplied to a Rankine cycle organic vapor turbine that produces power and expanded organic vapor. The solvent is recovered from the cooled, combined stream and re-used in the deasphalting unit. Heat extracted from products of the deasphalting unit vaporizes an organic fluid that is expanded in an organic vapor turbine that generates power.

Abstract: A solvent extraction process for separating a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock material into its various component parts. The process comprises the utilization of pressure reduction to enhance the separation and recovery of a deasphalted oil product comprising substantially the lower molecular weight hydrocarbon components present in the original heavy hydrocarbon feedstock material.