Process for hydrogenation of macro- and microcrystalline paraffins

A process for the hydrogenation of macro- and microcrystalline paraffins which comprises:

• contacting said macro- and microcrystalline paraffins with a catalytic bed comprising a first catalytic bed and a second catalytic bed, the contacting being with the first catalytic bed and then with the second catalytic bed, wherein the first catalytic bed comprises a hydrodemetallization catalyst and the second catalytic bed comprises a hydrotreatment catalyst, wherein the volume amount of the hydrodemetallization catalyst is in the range of from 25% to 75% of the catalytic bed, wherein hydrogen is fed into the catalytic bed with the macro- and microcrystalline paraffins, wherein said hydrodemetallization catalyst comprises between 1 and 14 wt % Mo, between 0 and 4 wt % Ni, between 0 and 4 wt % Co, and between 0 and 3 wt % P, and said hydrotreating catalyst comprises between 5 and 20 wt % Mo, between 0 and 8.0 wt % Ni, between 0 and 8 wt % Co, and between 0 and 6 wt % P, wherein at least once during said process the feed of the microcrystalline paraffin is stopped and the macrocrystalline paraffin is used as the feed, whereby the Saybolt color index is increased as compared to the Saybolt color level obtained while feeding said microcrystalline paraffin, wherein said contacting is at a temperature between 280.degree. and 345.degree. C., at a hydrogen pressure of from 75 to 150 kg/cm.sup.2, wherein the hydrogen to macro- and microcrystalline paraffin feed ratio is from 150 to 400 L/L, and wherein the weight hourly space velocity during said contacting is from 0.20 to 0.80 h.sup.-1, and wherein said contacting is co-current.