SINGLE-STAGE HYDROTREATING PROCESS

A process is provided for converting pitch-containing residual hydrocarbon oils containing asphaltenes, sulfur and nitrogen compounds and heavy metals into distillate fuels, which comprises: mixing from about 5-60% v residual oils with catalytic cracking feedstock and with hydrogen and passing said mixture downwardly into a hydrotreating zone over a stacked-bed catalyst under conditions suitable to convert from about 45-75% of the sulfur compounds present in the mixture to H2S; wherein said stacked bed comprises an upper bed consisting of from about 15-85 % v, basis total catalyst, of a high-activity hydrotreating catalyst which contains from about 2-4% w nickel, from about 8-15% w molybdenum and from about 2-4% w phosphorus supported on a carrier consisting mostly of alumina, and a lower bed of a high-activity, hydrodesulfurization catalyst consisting of from about 2-4% w cobalt and/or nickel, from about 8-15% w molybdenum and less than about 0.5% w phosphorus supported on a carrier consisting mostly of alumina; and separating the reaction product from said hydrotreating zone into a hydrogen-rich gas and a liquid residue-containing oil having reduced heavy metal content and being suitable as a catalytic cracking feedstock.