A catalytic hydrocracking process for the production of ultra low sulfur diesel
wherein a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is hydrocracked at elevated temperature and
pressure to obtain conversion to diesel boiling range hydrocarbons. The resulting
hydrocracking zone effluent is hydrogen stripped in a stripping zone maintained
at essentially the same pressure as the hydrocracking zone to produce a first gaseous
hydrocarbonaceous stream and a first liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream. The first
gaseous hydrocarbonaceous stream containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons is
introduced into a desulfurization zone and subsequently partially condensed to
produce a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream and a second liquid hydrocarbonaceous stream
containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the first liquid
stream is separated in a dividing wall column to produce a liquid hydrocarbonaceous
stream containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons which is also introduced into
the desulfurization zone. An ultra low sulfur diesel product stream is recovered.