Hydrocracking catalysts containing stabilized aggregates of small crystallites of zeolite Y associated hydrocarbon conversion processes

A process for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into diesel products, such process comprising:

• a) contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a hydrocracking catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under hydrocracking conditions to produce a hydrocracked effluent;
• b) removing at least a portion of the gaseous products in the hydrocracked effluent to produce a liquid hydrocracked effluent fraction;
• and
• c) separating a diesel range boiling point product from the liquid hydrocracked effluent fraction;
• wherein the hydrocracking catalyst comprises:
• an aggregated form of zeolite Y comprising small size primary crystallites of zeolite Y, wherein at least a portion of the primary crystallites are aggregated to form larger secondary particles, wherein the aggregated zeolite Y has a silica-to-alumina ratio of at least 4:1, and an alkali metal content of less than 4 wt % based on the zeolite;
• and
• a binder;
• wherein the hydrocracking catalyst has an Alpha value of less than 15, and an External Surface Area-to-Total Surface Area ratio of at least 0.35:1.