Catalyst for the hydroconversion of heavy hydrocarbons

A catalyst prepared by the steps which comprise:

• (a) adding to a heavy hydrocarbon oil chargestock an oil-soluble metal compound in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 950 weight parts per million, calculated as the elemental metal, based on said oil chargestock, said metal being selected from the group consisting of Groups IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements and mixtures thereof;
• (b) converting said oil-soluble metal compound within said chargestock in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas by heating said oil to produce a solid, non-colloidal catalyst within said chargestock, said catalyst comprising from about 10 to about 950 wppm of said metal, calculated as the elemental metal, based on said chargestock;
• (c) reacting the chargestock containing said catalyst with hydrogen under hydroconversion conditions, including a temperature ranging from about 426.degree. C. to about 482.degree. C. in a hydroconversion zone to produce a hydroconversion zone effluent comprising a hydroconverted oil and catalytic solids;
• (d) separating said catalytic solids from said hydroconversion zone effluent, and
• (e) recovering the separated catalytic solids.