Abstract: Residue with high Fe and Ca content were hydroprocessed in a 1.7 Mt/a VRDS unit of SINOPEC Changling Branch Co., The long-term cycle operation processing high Fe and Ca content residue was achieved in the second cycle operation through setting a new device in the electric desalting unit for injecting decalcification agent and adjusting the layered catalyst beds in the 1st reactor of VRDS unit. It is seen that the higher pressure drop (above the threshold value of 0.7 MPa) is the key point to the shutdown of the unit in the first cycle. The analysis of the operation data and the spent catalysts indicates that the reasons for excessive pressure drop of the 1st reactor in the first cycle are Fe and Ca depositions as well as coke formation.