Multi-stage upgrading of hydrocarbon pyrolysis tar using recycled interstage product

A hydrocarbon conversion process comprising:

• (a) hydroprocessing a feedstock comprising pyrolysis tar in a first hydroprocessing zone by contacting the feedstock with at least one hydroprocessing catalyst in the presence of a utility fluid and molecular hydrogen under catalytic hydroprocessing conditions to convert at least a portion of the feedstock to a first hydroprocessed product;
• (b) separating the first hydroprocessed product in one or more separation stages to form:
• (i) an overhead stream comprising ≥about 1.0 wt % of the first hydroprocessed product;
• (ii) a mid-cut stream comprising ≥about 20 wt % of the first hydroprocessed product and having a having a boiling point distribution from about 120° C. to about 480° C. as measured according to ASTM D7500;
• and
• (iii) a bottoms stream comprising ≥about 10 wt % of the first hydroprocessed product;
• (c) recycling at least a portion of the mid-cut stream for use as the utility fluid in the first hydroprocessing zone;
• and
• (d) hydroprocessing at least a portion of the bottoms stream in a second hydroprocessing zone by contacting the bottoms stream with at least one hydroprocessing catalyst in the presence of molecular hydrogen under catalytic hydroprocessing conditions to convert at least a portion of the bottoms stream to a second hydroprocessed product, wherein the at least a portion of the bottoms stream is hydroprocessed in the second hydroprocessing zone in the absence of any utility fluid.