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 thermal cracked to produce
diesel boiling range hydrocarbons. An ultra low sulfur diesel product
stream is recovered.