Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a process for the production of anode grade coke from a hydrocarbon feed characterized by high levels of sulfurs and metals. The hydrocarbon feed is hydrocracked in a hydrocracking reactor so as to produce an overhead effluent which is fed to a hot separator wherein a light hydrocarbon stream and a slurry hydrocracked product are produced. The hydrocracked product is fed to a separator and mixed with a solvent wherein the solids are separated out from the hydrocracked residual so as to produce a clean hydrocracked residual which is fed to a coking drum and coked so as to leave a mass of green anode grade coke.

Abstract: Hydrocracking and separating process for upgrading unconverted residuals so as to increase liquid yields while at the same time decrease fouling of the hydrocracking reactor upon recycling of the upgraded residual to the hydrocracker. The unconverted residual from the hydrocracking unit is treated in a separation stage with a light hydrocarbon solvent so as to remove the polynuclear hydrocarbons from the residual prior to recycling.