An integrated process for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbons to a light distillate and/or mid-distillate

The invention relates to an integrated process for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbons to a light distillate and/or mid-distillate such as diesel or kerosene, including a catalytic cracking, hydrocracking and hydroconversion stage. In the process the heavy hydroconversion products (3; 16) of the hydroconversion unit (25) are recycled to the hydrocracking unit (4) or both to the hydrocracking unit (4) and to the catalytic cracking unit (17). Furthermore, at least a portion (13) of a first residue (12) of heavy hydrocarbons from the hydrocracking unit is recycled to the hydroconversion unit (25). By changing the ratio of the recycling streams (3; 16) of heavy hydroconversion products of the hydroconversion unit to the catalytic cracking unit (17) and to the hydrocracking unit (4), one can adjust the amount of the gasoline or diesel production. A portion (2) of a first residue of heavy hydrocarbons of the hydrocracking unit can be fed to the hydrocracking unit (4) and the rest (14; 13) can be fed to the catalytic cracking unit (17) and/or to the hydroconversion (25).