Process for the production of middle distillates from a paraffinic feedstock produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprising at least one light fraction, known as condensate, and a heavy fraction, known as waxes, in which: the said light fraction is stored in a vessel (B) maintained under an inert atmosphere and in which the temperature inside the vessel is maintained at a value of less than 20 C.; the said heavy fraction is stored in a vessel (C) maintained under an inert atmosphere and in which the temperature inside the vessel is maintained at a value of between 80 and 230 C.

Zn-promoted and/or Ga-promoted cracking catalysts, such as cracking catalysts comprising an MSE framework zeolite or an MFI framework zeolite can provide unexpectedly superior conversion of branched paraffins when used as part of a catalyst during reforming of a hydrocarbon fuel stream. The conversion and reforming of the hydrocarbon fuel stream can occur, for example, in an internal combustion engine. The conversion and reforming can allow for formation of higher octane compounds from the branched paraffins.

Zn-promoted and/or Ga-promoted cracking catalysts, such as cracking catalysts comprising an MSE framework zeolite or an MFI framework zeolite can provide unexpectedly superior conversion of branched paraffins when used as part of a catalyst during reforming of a hydrocarbon fuel stream. The conversion and reforming of the hydrocarbon fuel stream can occur, for example, in an internal combustion engine. The conversion and reforming can allow for formation of higher octane compounds from the branched paraffins.

The present invention is based on the use of a two-step hydrocracking process for the production of naphtha, comprising a step of hydrogenation placed upstream of the second hydrocracking step, the hydrogenation step treating the unconverted liquid fraction separated in the distillation step in the presence of a specific hydrogenation catalyst. Furthermore, the hydrogenation step and a second hydrocracking step are carried out under specific operating conditions and in particular under temperature conditions that are very specific with respect to one another.

The present invention relates to an integrated process to convert crude oil into petrochemical products comprising crude oil distillation, hydrocracking and olefins synthesis, which process comprises subjecting a hydrocracker feed to hydrocracking to produce LPG and BTX and subjecting the LPG produced in the process to olefins synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process installation to convert crude oil into petrochemical products comprising: a crude distillation unit comprising an inlet for crude oil and at least one outlet for one or more of naphtha, kerosene and gasoil; a hydrocracker comprising an inlet for a hydrocracker feed, an outlet for LPG and an outlet for BTX; and a unit for olefins synthesis comprising an inlet for LPG produced by the integrated petrochemical process installation and an outlet for olefins. The hydrocracker feed used in the process and the process installation of the present invention comprises one or more of naphtha, kerosene and gasoil produced by crude oil distillation in the process; and refinery unit-derived light-distillate and/or refinery unit-derived middle-distillate produced in the process. The process and process installation of the present invention have an increased production of petrochemicals at the expense of the production of fuels and an improved carbon efficiency in terms of the conversion of crude oils into petrochemicals.

The present invention relates to an integrated process to convert crude oil into petrochemical products comprising crude oil distillation, hydrocracking and olefins synthesis, which process comprises subjecting a hydrocracker feed to hydrocracking to produce LPG and BTX and subjecting the LPG produced in the process to olefins synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process installation to convert crude oil into petrochemical products comprising: a crude distillation unit comprising an inlet for crude oil and at least one outlet for one or more of naphtha, kerosene and gasoil; a hydrocracker comprising an inlet for a hydrocracker feed, an outlet for LPG and an outlet for BTX; and a unit for olefins synthesis comprising an inlet for LPG produced by the integrated petrochemical process installation and an outlet for olefins. The hydrocracker feed used in the process and the process installation of the present invention comprises one or more of naphtha, kerosene and gasoil produced by crude oil distillation in the process; and refinery unit-derived light-distillate and/or refinery unit-derived middle-distillate produced in the process. The process and process installation of the present invention have an increased production of petrochemicals at the expense of the production of fuels and an improved carbon efficiency in terms of the conversion of crude oils into petrochemicals.

Methods are provided for making base metal catalysts with improved activity. After forming catalyst particles based on a support comprising a zeolitic molecular sieve, the catalyst particles can be impregnated with a solution comprising a) metal salts (or other precursors) for a plurality of base metals and b) an organic dispersion agent comprising 2 to 10 carbons. The impregnated support particles can be dried to form a base metal catalyst, and then optionally sulfided to form a sulfided base metal catalyst. The resulting (sulfided) base metal catalyst can have improved activity for cloud point reduction and/or for improved activity for heteroatom removal, relative to a base metal dewaxing catalyst prepared without the use of a dispersion agent.

The invention relates to a method for optimizing layered catalytic processes. This is accomplished by testing various catalysts with a compound found in a feedstock to be tested, to determine the facility of the catalyst in hydrogenating, hydrosulfurizing, or hydrodenitrogenating the molecule, and hence the feedstock. In a preferred embodiment, the Double Bond Equivalence of the feedstock and molecule are determined, and catalysts are pre-selected based upon their known ability to work with materials of this DBE value. In preferred embodiments, the layered catalysts include a demetallization catalyst, used before hydrocracking. In additional preferred embodiments, the test feedstock contains 500 ppmw or less asphaltenes, preferably C.sub.5-asphaltenes.

Process for the production of middle distillates from a paraffinic feedstock produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprising at least one light fraction, known as condensate, and a heavy fraction, known as waxes, in which: the said light fraction is stored in a vessel (B) maintained under an inert atmosphere and in which the temperature inside the vessel is maintained at a value of less than 20 C.; the said heavy fraction is stored in a vessel (C) maintained under an inert atmosphere and in which the temperature inside the vessel is maintained at a value of between 80 and 230 C.

Process for the production of middle distillates from a paraffinic feedstock produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprising at least one light fraction, known as condensate, and a heavy fraction, known as waxes, in which: the said light fraction is stored in a vessel (B) maintained under an inert atmosphere and in which the temperature inside the vessel is maintained at a value of less than 20 C.; the said heavy fraction is stored in a vessel (C) maintained under an inert atmosphere and in which the temperature inside the vessel is maintained at a value of between 80 and 230 C.