Abstract: Asphaltene in Tahe residue was analyzed by element compositions、IR、1H-NMR and thermogravimetry. The effect of temperature, the ratio of tetralin to asphaltene, initial hydrogen pressure, aromatics and resin on the thermal hydrocracking characteristics of asphaltene and vanadium distribution in products were investigated. It shows that when reaction temperature > 430 ℃, the condensation reaction of macromolecular radicals generated by asphaltene cracking was intensified due to the hydrogen capacity; increasing solvent-oil ratio and initial hydrogen pressure not only promote cracking of asphaltene but also inhibit the condensation reaction. Under the suitable operating conditions (430 ℃, ratio of Tetralin to asphaltene =2 and initial hydrogen pressure 4.0 MPa), the cracking and toluene insoluble rate of asphaltene is 55.69% and 41.69%, respectively. The vanadium in the toluene insoluble is 98.92%. When aromatics and resin account for 50% in the total material, the toluene insoluble reduces 8.32% and 5.55%, respectively for thermal hydrocracking with or without hydrogen donor. The distribution of vanadium in the toluene insoluble decreases less than 5%.