Hydrocarbon conversion process

A process for removing combustible non-volatiles from a reactor system, comprising:

• (A) depositing combustible non-volatiles by pyrolysis at a temperature ≥800° C. of hydrocarbon comprising alkane during a pyrolysis step of duration t1, wherein (a) the combustible non-volatiles are deposited in first and second conduits of a first reactor, (b) the first reactor is located within the reactor system, and (c) the pyrolysis converts at least a portion of the alkane to unsaturated hydrocarbon in the first reactor;
• (B) during a first time interval having a duration t2a of a heating step having a total duration t2,
• (a) conducting a fuel through the first conduit and an oxidant through the second conduit,
• (b) heating the reactor system by combusting at least a portion of the oxidant with (i) at least a portion of the combustible non-volatiles located in the second conduit and (ii) at least a portion of the fuel;
• and
• (C) during a second time interval having a duration t2b of the heating step, wherein t2a+t2b≤t2,
• (a) conducting at least a portion of the oxidant through the first conduit,
• (b) reacting the oxidant with at least a portion of the combustible non-volatiles located in the first conduit,
• (c) conducting the fuel through a third conduit of the first reactor,
• (d) conducting a second portion of the oxidant through the second conduit, and
• (e) heating the reactor system by combusting at least a portion of the oxidant with (i) at least a portion of the combustible non-volatiles located in the first and/or second conduits and (ii) at least a portion of the fuel;
• wherein the first, second, and third conduits comprise at least one channel in a reactor bed.