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Abstract

Upgrading of a hydrocarbon feed containing sulfur, metals, and asphaltenes involves applying the feed to a distillation column for producing a substantially asphaltene-free, and metal-free fraction and a non-distilled fraction containing sulfur, asphaltenes, and metals. At least some of the substantially asphaltene-free, and metal-free distillate fraction is converted to a hydrogen donor diluent. The non-distilled fraction is processed in a solvent deasphalting unit for producing a deasphalted oil stream and an asphaltene stream. After a combined stream is formed from the hydrogen donor diluent and the deasphalted oil stream, the combined stream is thermally cracked forming a thermally cracked stream that is applied to the distillation column. Also, an apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed containing sulfur, metals, and asphaltenes, the apparatus comprising: a distillation column for receiving the feed and producing a substantially asphaltene-free, and metal-free distillate fraction and a non-distilled fraction containing sulfur, asphaltene and metals; and means for producing a hydrogen donor diluent from at least some of the substantially asphaltene-free, and metal-free distillate fraction. The apparatus also includes a solvent deasphalting unit for processing the non-distilled fraction and producing a deasphalted oil stream and an asphaltene stream and combining the hydrogen donor diluent with the deasphalted oil stream to form a combined stream; and a thermal cracker for thermally cracking the combined stream and forming a thermally cracked stream whereby the thermally cracked stream is applied to the distillation column.

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