Integrated hydro-demetallization (hdm) unit

A process for hydro-demetallizing of residual hydro-carbonaceous feedstock, the process comprising:

• passing the feedstock to a vertically-disposed reaction zone comprising at least one moving bed reactor to produce an effluent, wherein the at least one moving bed reactor comprises at least one catalyst bed of hydro-demetallization catalyst and is configured for catalyst addition and removal;
• subjecting the hydrodemetallization catalyst to in-line fresh catalyst deairing, pressurizing, and hydrocarbon soaking via a catalyst sluicing system before entering the moving bed reactor;
• further subjecting the hydrodemetallization catalyst to sulphidic activation before entering the moving bed reactor at a top portion of the moving bed reactor, wherein the hydrodemetallization catalyst is added to the moving bed reactor through gravity;
• removing any spent hydrodemetallization catalyst from a bottom portion of the moving bed reactor during processing of the feedstock;
• and
• subjecting the removed spent hydrodemetallization catalyst to in-line spent catalyst hydrocarbon removal, depressurizing, inerting, and airing;
• passing the effluent to at least one fixed bed reactor for further processing;
• and
• wherein reactor internals located within the reaction zone provide balance and controlled catalyst movement during catalyst addition and removal from the moving bed reactor.