The low activity hydrodeoygenation catalysts may comprise, for example, a single metal such as Mo or W or combinations of metals such as Ni/Mo or NiAV supported on gamma alumina, preferably with relatively low metal loadings in the range of 0.1 - 15%wt. [00134] Referring again to Figure 4, in certain embodiments the effluent mixture may be piped through heat exchangers to assist in preheating the