| abstract |
A method of reducing catalyst agglomeration in a slurry hydrocracking zone containing at least two reactors is described. A hydrocarbon feed and a slurry hydrocracking catalyst are contacted in a first reactor to form a first effluent containing slurry hydrocracking reaction products, unreacted hydrocarbon feed, and the slurry hydrocracking catalyst, wherein the slurry hydrocracking catalyst agglomerates. The first effluent and an unsupported hydrogenation catalyst are contacted in a second reactor to form a second effluent containing the slurry hydrocracking reaction products, unreacted hydrocarbon feed, the slurry hydrocracking catalyst, and asphaltene reaction products. |