Adsorption of basic asphaltenes on solid acid catalysts

Basic asphaltenes are selectively removed from asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon feeds by contacting the feed with a solid acid, such as a solid acid cracking catalyst, which selectively adsorbs the basic asphaltenes present in the feed. The adsorption is carried out at a temperature below about 575 DEG F. to avoid cracking the asphaltenes in the adsorption zone. The basic asphaltene-containing catalyst is then separated from the feed, the basic asphaltenes are cracked off the catalyst, the catalyst is regenerated by suitable techniques such as air burning and then recycled back to the adsorption zone. The basic asphaltene-reduced feed is sent to further processing.