Conversion of asphaltene-containing charge stocks

A process for the conversion of an asphaltene-containing, hydrocarbonaceous black oil, and the recovery of deasphalted oil therefrom, which comprises the steps of:

• (a) reacting said black oil, hydrogen, a first hereinafter described recycle stream comprising unreacted asphaltenes and a metal catalyst selected from the iron-group metals and the metals from Group V-B and VI-B, and a second hereinafter described recycle stream comprising a solvent rich liquid phase containing deasphalted oil, in a reaction zone at conversion conditions selected to convert asphaltenic material into lower-boiling hydrocarbons;
• (b) separating the resulting reaction product effluent, in a first separation zone, to provide (i) a hydrogen-rich first vaporous phase and, (ii) a first liquid phase, containing metal catalyst and unreacted asphaltenes, and recycling at least a portion of said first vaporous phase to combine with said black oil;
• (c) deasphalting said first liquid phase with a hydrocarbonselective solvent comprising a light hydrocarbon having from about 3 to about 9 carbon atoms per molecule in a solvent extraction zone to provide (i) a solvent rich second liquid phase, containing deasphalted oil, and, (ii) a solvent-lean mixture of unreacted asphaltenes and metal catalyst;
• (d) recycling at least a portion of said solvent-lean mixture of unreacted asphaltenes and metal catalyst to combine with said black oil;
• (e) recycling a portion of said solvent rich second liquid phase, containing deasphalted oil to combine with said black oil;
• and
• (f) separating a portion of said solvent rich second liquid phase in a solvent recovery zone to provide (i) a stream comprising said hydrocarbon-selective solvent, and recycling at least a portion of said stream to said solvent extraction zone and (ii) a substantially solvent-free deasphalted oil.