Disclosed is a process in which the jump in hydrogenation capacity, necessary to hydroconvert heavy oils totally to light hydrocarbons (350? C.?), is obtained by using an upflow reactor equipped with a gas distributor having a high density of orifices, which is capable of causing the packing of the gas bubbles, this being the most advantageous fluid dynamic condition. The resulting conversion products are suitable as petrochemical feedstocks.

A distilling heat pump includes a distilling column, a heat exchanger, a pump and a liquid-driven gas ejector. A liquid inlet of the ejector is in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump. A gas inlet of the ejector is in fluid communication with a vapor outlet of the distilling column. An outlet of the ejector is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet of the heat exchanger. A fluid outlet of the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump. The heat exchanger is in thermal communication with at least one of a fluid inlet to the distilling column and an interior of the distilling column.