Abstract: This invention relates to a novel integrated method for economically processing vacuum residue from heavy crude oils. This is accomplished by utilizing a solvent deasphalter (SDA) in the first step of the process with a C3/C4/C5 solvent such that the DAO product can thereafter be processed in a classic fixed-bed hydrotreater or hydrocracker. The SDA feed also includes recycled stripper bottoms containing unconverted residue/asphaltenes from a downstream steam stripper unit. The asphaltenes from the SDA are sent to an ebullated-bed reactor for conversion of the residue and asphaltenes. Residue conversion in the range of 60-80% is achieved and asphaltene conversion is in the range of 50-70%. The overall residue conversion, with the DAO product considered non-residue, is in the range of 80 W %-90 W % and significantly higher than could be achieved without utilizing the present invention.

Abstract: For converting hydrocarbons: step a) treating a hydrocarbon feed with hydrogen in at least one three-phase reactor (1), containing ebullated bed hydroconversion catalyst; a step b) passing effluent from step a) to a separation zone (2) to recover a fraction F1 containing at least a portion of gas, gasoline and atmospheric gas oil contained in the effluent from step a), and a fraction F2 containing compounds with boiling points of more than that of the atmospheric gas oil; step c) hydrodesulphurizing at least a portion of fraction F1; and step d) passing at least a portion of fraction F2 to catalytic cracking section (6).

Abstract: A process for converting a hydrocarbon fraction comprises a step a) for treating a hydrocarbon feed in the presence of hydrogen in at least one three-phase reactor (1), containing at least one ebullated bed hydroconversion catalyst, a step b) in which at least a portion of the effluent from step a) is sent to a separation zone (2) from which a fraction F1 normally containing at least a portion of the gas, gasoline and atmospheric gas oil contained in the effluent from step a) is recovered, and a fraction F2 is recovered normally principally containing compounds with boiling points of more than that of the atmospheric gas oil, a step c) for hydrodesulphurization of at least a portion of fraction F1 in at least on reactor (4) containing at least one fixed bed hydrotreatment catalyst under conditions for producing an effluent with a reduced sulphur content, and a step d) in which at least a portion of fraction F2 is sent to a catalytic cracking section (6).