Patent ID: 7833408

Claim:
A method for staging investment in a process comprising: a first stage comprising: apportioning a hydrocarbon feed into a first portion and a second portion; mixing the first portion with one or more oxidants to provide a first mixture; gasifying at least a portion of the first mixture to provide an effluent; mixing the second portion with one or more diluents to provide one or more fungible hydrocarbon products; combusting at least a portion of the effluent to provide steam; and selling at least a portion of the one or more fungible hydrocarbon products to provide capital; and a second stage comprising: mixing the hydrocarbon feed with one or more solvents and one or more non-catalytic solids to form a second mixture; thermally cracking at least a portion of the second mixture to provide one or more hydrocarbon products and coked non-catalytic solids; separating the coked non-catalytic solids from the one or more hydrocarbon products; thermally regenerating the coked non-catalytic solids; and recycling at least a portion of the regenerated non-catalytic solids.