VERFAHREN ZUR VOLLSTÄNDIGEN UMWANDLUNG VON KOHLENWASSERSTOFF-WERKSTOFFEN MIT HOHEM MOLEKULARGEWICHT

Process for the complete conversion of hydrocarbon materials with a high molecular weight, in particular petroleum residues or heavy crude oils or reduced crude oils, comprising the following steps: impregnation or mixing of the hydrocarbon material with a high molecular weight with a catalyst basically consisting of one or more alkaline and/or earth-alkaline compounds wherein the alkaline or earth-alkaline ion or ions are in a quantity of between 1 and 20% by weight with respect to the hydrocarbon material; pyrolysis of the impregnated residue in a suitable zone at a temperature of between 450 and 650 DEG C and at a pressure of less than 25 Atms, obtaining a gas stream containing hydrocarbons and a solid stream basically consisting of coke impregnated with catalyst; gasification of 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 and 850 DEG C and at a pressure of between 1 and 25 Atms to generate a gas stream basically consisting of a fuel gas with a low/medium heating power and a solid stream to be recycled, at least partially, to the pyrolysis step; condensation and separation of the hydrocarbons contained in the gas stream obtained in the pyrolysis step obtaining one liquid stream and one gas stream; mixing the latter gas stream with the gas stream obtained in the gasification step and feeding the stream thus obtained to a plant for the production of thermal or electric energy.