Patent ID: 7144498

Claim:
A continuous method for substantially converting heavy hydrocarbons having normal boiling points above 538° C. (1000° F.) to hydrocarbons having normal boiling points below 538° C. (1000° F.), comprising: (A) providing a feed mixture of the heavy hydrocarbons with solvating hydrocarbons comprising normal boiling points below 538° C. (1000° F.), at a weight ratio of the solvating hydrocarbons to the heavy hydrocarbons of at least 2:1; (B) introducing the feed mixture into a reaction zone containing hot particulate solids to form a reaction mixture; (C) maintaining the reaction mixture in the reaction zone at a temperature and pressure above critical temperature and pressure of the feed mixture for a period of 60 seconds or less to deposit coke onto the solids and produce a first effluent stream comprising a suspension of the particulate solids in a mixture of solvating hydrocarbons, including converted hydrocarbons, having normal boiling points below 538° C. (1000° F.); and (D) separating particulate solids from the first effluent stream to produce a solids-lean second effluent stream.