Process for the conversion of hydrocarbon materials having a high molecular weight

Process for the conversion of a hydrocarbon material, having a high molecular weight, comprising the following steps:

• impregnating or mixing the hydrocarbon material, with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of an alkaline compound, an earth-alkaline compound and a mixture thereof;
• wherein the alkaline or earth-alkaline ion or ions are present in a quantity of between 4 and 20% by weight with respect to the hydrocarbon material;
• pyrolyzing the impregnated residue in a suitable zone at a temperature of between 450.degree. and 650.degree. C. and at a pressure of less than 25 Atms, obtaining a gaseous stream containing hydrocarbons and a solid stream consisting essentially of coke impregnated with the catalyst;
• gasifying the solid stream leaving the pyrolysis step in a single step with water vapour and in the presence of air in a ratio of between 10 and 100% and between 10 and 60% by weight respectively with the charge fed to the gasification section, operating at a temperature of between 600.degree. and 850.degree. C. and at a pressure of between 1 and 25 Atms to generate a gaseous stream consisting essentially of a fuel gas with a low to medium heating power and a solid stream to be recycled, at least in part, to the pyrolysis step;
• condensing and separating the hydrocarbons contained in the gaseous stream obtained in the pyrolysis step obtaining one liquid stream and one gas stream;
• mixing the latter gas stream with the gaseous stream obtained in the gasification step and feeding the stream thus obtained to a plant for the production of thermal or electric energy.