Resumen del autor, extraído del trabajo. SATCON - Satellite Conversion - represents a novel mild "thermal deasphalting" process based on Lurgi's LR-Process and ExxonMobil's Fluid Coking experience. The technology is the culmination of a joint development program leading to technical readiness in 1996 at which time project development was initiated leading to the initial plant in Esso's Ingolstadt Refinery. Conversion of Petroleum residues (vac resid, bitumen, rock asphaltenes) is carried out in the unique short residence time "LR-Mixer Reactor" which achieves a substantial reduction of feedstock contaminants (heavy metals, CCR, N, S) at high liquid and low coke and gas yields. The LR-Mixer Reactor includes two screws for mixing the feedstock with hot circulating coke. These screws clean each other and the reactor internals while they achieve plug flow of solids and minimum residence time of vapors. The overall mixer reaction can be described by two subsequent steps: 1. partial flash vaporization of feedstock 2. coking of remaining asphaltenes to additional oil, gas and coke. The process thus can be compared to a thermal deasphalter with integrated asphaltene coking. There are a wide range of possible refining application scenarios, including resid pre-treatment prior to downstream catalytical processes that are sensitive to contaminants, upgrading of low value residues such as solvent deasphalter rock, etc. Pilot plant units are in place in Lurgi's and ExxonMobil's process research facilities. These facilities permit feedstock testing for specific applications and permit evaluating enhanced technology features as part of a continuing R&D program. Start up of the first commercial unit (~ 8000 B/SD) at the Esso's Ingolstadt (Germany) refinery is in progress. Other potential applications are currently in early development stage. The paper outlines the process principle, essential process characteristics, the process background and current status.