In a process for purifying fatty acid alkyl esters, particularly methyl and ethyl esters, by means of vacuum distillation in a distillation column, water or steam is introduced into the distillation column and, during distillation, brought into contact with the fatty acid alkyl esters in the gas phase. This results in a significant reduction in the sulphur content and in the acid number of the fatty acid alkyl ester.

In a process for purifying fatty acid alkyl esters, particularly methyl and ethyl esters, by means of vacuum distillation in a distillation column, water or steam is introduced into the distillation column and, during distillation, brought into contact with the fatty acid alkyl esters in the gas phase. This results in a significant reduction in the sulphur content and in the acid number of the fatty acid alkyl ester.

The instant invention relates to a process and method for manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene by dehydrohalogenating a reactant stream of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane that is substantially free from impurities, particularly halogenated propanes, propenes, and propynes.

Systems and methods are provided for block operation during lubricant and/or fuels production from deasphalted oil. During block operation, a deasphalted oil and/or the hydroprocessed effluent from an initial processing stage can be split into a plurality of fractions. The fractions can correspond, for example, to feed fractions suitable for forming a light neutral fraction, a heavy neutral fraction, and a bright stock fraction, or the plurality of fractions can correspond to any other convenient split into separate fractions. The plurality of separate fractions can then be processed separately in the process train (or in the sweet portion of the process train) for forming fuels and/or lubricant base stocks. The separate processing can allow for selection of conditions for forming lubricant fractions, such as bright stock fractions, that have a cloud point that is lower than the pour point.

Systems and methods are provided for block operation during lubricant and/or fuels production from deasphalted oil. During block operation, a deasphalted oil and/or the hydroprocessed effluent from an initial processing stage can be split into a plurality of fractions. The fractions can correspond, for example, to feed fractions suitable for forming a light neutral fraction, a heavy neutral fraction, and a bright stock fraction, or the plurality of fractions can correspond to any other convenient split into separate fractions. The plurality of separate fractions can then be processed separately in the process train (or in the sweet portion of the process train) for forming fuels and/or lubricant base stocks.

Systems and methods are provided for block operation during lubricant and/or fuels production from deasphalted oil. During block operation, a deasphalted oil and/or the hydroprocessed effluent from an initial processing stage can be split into a plurality of fractions. The fractions can correspond, for example, to feed fractions suitable for forming a light neutral fraction, a heavy neutral fraction, and a bright stock fraction, or the plurality of fractions can correspond to any other convenient split into separate fractions. The plurality of separate fractions can then be processed separately in the process train (or in the sweet portion of the process train) for forming fuels and/or lubricant base stocks. The initial stage can optionally include a bulk hydrotreating catalyst to assist with increasing the space velocity in the initial stage.

Systems and methods are provided for block operation during lubricant and/or fuels production from deasphalted oil. During block operation, a deasphalted oil and/or the hydroprocessed effluent from an initial processing stage can be split into a plurality of fractions. The fractions can correspond, for example, to feed fractions suitable for forming a light neutral fraction, a heavy neutral fraction, and a bright stock fraction, or the plurality of fractions can correspond to any other convenient split into separate fractions. The plurality of separate fractions can then be processed separately in the process train (or in the sweet portion of the process train) for forming fuels and/or lubricant base stocks. This can allow for formation of unexpected base stock compositions.

An improved method for preparing squalene from a squalene-containing composition, said method comprising the steps of (a) a purification distillation carried out at a temperature T.sub.1 (b) a denaturing distillation carried out at a temperature T.sub.2; wherein steps (a) and (b) may be performed in either order; T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 are sufficient to cause squalene to boil; T.sub.2>T.sub.1; and T.sub.2>200 C.

A method of processing finely divided reactive particulates (R.sub.Particulate) and forming a product comprising: providing a composite material comprising finely divided reactive particulates (R.sub.Particulate) dispersed in a protective matrix; at least partially exposing the finely divided reactive particulates (R.sub.Particulate); and forming the product.

An improved method for preparing squalene from a squalene-containing composition, said method comprising the steps of (a) a purification distillation carried out at a temperature T.sub.1 (b) a denaturing distillation carried out at a temperature T.sub.2; wherein steps (a) and (b) may be performed in either order; T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 are sufficient to cause squalene to boil; T.sub.2>T.sub.1; and T.sub.2>200 C.