Abstract: A method to convert asphaltenes to partially oxidized asphaltenes comprising the steps of treating the reactor feed in a tubular reactor to produce a reactor effluent, introducing the reactor effluent to a disengagement zone of a vessel reactor, introducing an oxidizing agent stream to the asphaltene collection zone of the vessel reactor, reacting the asphaltenes in the asphaltene-rich fraction with oxygen from the oxidizing agent, withdrawing a bottom reactor effluent from the asphaltene collection zone, reducing a temperature of the bottom reactor effluent to produce a cooled bottom effluent, reducing a pressure of the cooled bottom effluent in a pressure regulator unit to produce a centrifuge feed, separating the centrifuge feed in a centrifuge to produce a centrate, mixing the centrate and the upper upgraded stream in a product mixer to produce a mixed upgraded stream, and separating the mixed upgraded stream in a three-phase separator.

Abstract: A method to convert asphaltenes to partially oxidized asphaltenes comprising the steps of treating the reactor feed in a tubular reactor to produce a reactor effluent, introducing the reactor effluent to a disengagement zone of a vessel reactor, introducing an oxidizing agent stream to the asphaltene collection zone of the vessel reactor, reacting the asphaltenes in the asphaltene-rich fraction with oxygen from the oxidizing agent, withdrawing a bottom reactor effluent from the asphaltene collection zone, reducing a temperature of the bottom reactor effluent to produce a cooled bottom effluent, reducing a pressure of the cooled bottom effluent in a pressure regulator unit to produce a centrifuge feed, separating the centrifuge feed in a centrifuge to produce a centrate, mixing the centrate and the upper upgraded stream in a product mixer to produce a mixed upgraded stream, and separating the mixed upgraded stream in a three-phase separator.