Multi-stage hydrocarcking proess for the hydroconversion of hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks

A process for the hydroconversion of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at an elevated temperature and pressure in a first hydrocracking section in the presence of hydrogen with one or more catalysts to obtain a first hydrocarbon effluent stream;
• (b) separating at least part of the first hydrocarbon effluent as obtained in step (a) in a separating section into a gaseous stream, a light liquid stream and a heavy liquid stream;
• (c) separating at least part of the liquid streams as obtained in step (b) in a fractionating section into a number of fractions of hydrocarbons including a fraction of hydrocarbons that have a boiling point above 350° C.;
• (d) contacting at least part of the fraction of hydrocarbons that have a boiling point above 350° C. fraction as obtained in step (c) at an elevated temperature and pressure in a second hydrocracking section in the presence of hydrogen with one or more catalysts to obtain a second hydrocarbon effluent stream;
• (e) separating at least part of the second hydrocarbon effluent stream as obtained in step (d) in a separating section into a gaseous stream, a light liquid stream and a heavy liquid stream;
• (f) separating at least part of the liquid streams as obtained in step (e) in a fractionating section into a number of fractions of hydrocarbons including a heavy fraction of hydrocarbons that have a boiling point above 350° C.;
• (g) splitting at least part of the fraction of hydrocarbons that have a boiling point above 350° C. as obtained in step (f) into a major stream and a minor stream;
• (h) recycling at least part of the major stream as obtained in step (g) to step (d);
• and
• (i) recovering the minor stream as obtained in step (g).