Method for hydrocracking a heavy polynuclear hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst

A method for hydrocracking a heavy polynuclear carbonaceous feedstock to produce lighter hydrocarbon fuels by contacting said heavy feedstock with hydrogen in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst, said method consisting essentially of:

• (a) mixing said feedstock with a heavy naphtha fraction to produce a mixture, said heavy naphtha fraction having an initial boiling point from about 100.degree. to about 160.degree. C. and a boiling point difference between its initial boiling point and its final boiling point of no more than about 50.degree. C.;
• (b) contacting said mixture in an extractor zone with a partially spent molten metal halide and hydrogen under temperature and pressure conditions so that said temperature is within 35.degree. C. of the critical temperature of said heavy naphtha fraction for an effective period of time to extract at least a portion of the lighter hydrocarbon fuels having a boiling point above about 475.degree. C. contained in said partially spent molten metal halide and in said feedstock;
• (c) separating at least a portion of said heavy naphtha fraction and at least a portion of said lighter hydrocarbon fuels having a boiling point above about 475.degree. C. from said partially spent molten metal halide, unreacted feedstock and reaction products;
• (d) contacting said partially spent molten metal halide, said unreacted feedstock and said reaction products with hydrogen and fresh molten metal halide in a hydrocracking zone to produce additional lighter hydrocarbon fuels;
• and,
• (e) separating at least a major portion of said lighter hydrocarbon fuels and at least a major portion of the unreacted hydrogen from the spent molten metal halide.