Abstract: Methods for producing a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream, using no substantial amount of hydrogen, at pressures less than 125 psig are described. The process uses two fixed beds in series to remove sulfur and/or other heteroatoms to produce a substantially desulfurized (less than 1 ppm sulfur) hydrocarbon fuel stream. The first fixed bed uses a transition metal catalyst dispersed on an inorganic oxide matrix and the second bed uses a high surface area, porous, amorphous inorganic oxide catalyst or a high surface area porous carbonaceous catalyst. The second fixed bed can additionally comprise one or more metals.