Described are processes to produce base oils with one more improved properties, e.g., lower aromatics, economically and/or efficiently. In some embodiments the processes comprise a step that reduces the amount of residual refractory sulfur compounds prior to or simultaneous with a hydrofinishing step which advantageously provides base oils with lower aromatics than comparable processes.

The supporter material for catalyst includes a main body alumina and a rod-shaped alumina. The main body alumina is provided with micron-sized pore channels, at least part of the rod-shaped alumina is distributed on the exterior surface of the main body alumina and/or in the micron-sized pore channels with a pore diameter D within a range of 3-10 μm; the rod-shaped alumina has a length of 1-12 μm and a diameter of 80-300 nm. The alumina supporter material is used as a residual oil hydrogenation catalyst supporter to facilitate a long period operation of the residual oil hydrogenation, and has high demetalization rate, desulfurization rate and denitrification rate.

A catalyst system for dewaxing of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising at least two catalytic sections, the first section comprising a first dewaxing catalyst and a subsequent section comprising a second dewaxing catalyst, wherein the first dewaxing catalyst is a ZSM-12 zeolite based catalyst and the second dewaxing catalyst is a EU-2 and/or ZSM-48 zeolite based catalyst. The catalyst system displays enhanced performance when compared to systems containing either ony ZSM-12 based catalyst or EU-2/ZSM-48 based catalyst only.

A catalyst system for dewaxing of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising at least two catalytic sections, the first section comprising a first dewaxing catalyst and a subsequent section comprising a second dewaxing catalyst, wherein the first dewaxing catalyst is a ZSM-12 zeolite based catalyst and the second dewaxing catalyst is a EU-2 and/or ZSM-48 zeolite based catalyst. The catalyst system displays enhanced performance when compared to systems containing either ony ZSM-12 based catalyst or EU-2/ZSM-48 based catalyst only.

A system and method for renewable diesel synthesis utilizes a triglyceride feedstock derived from biological sources. The first step involves hydrolysis of the triglycerides into an intermediate feedstock comprising a mixture of free fatty acids and glycerol (separated from the FFA by decantation and then distilled). The FFA is then further processed in a distillation step to produce a stream free of catalyst poisons and utilized as feedstock for hydrotreatment in a renewable diesel production process. By converting the initial triglyceride feedstock to an FFA feedstock, the need to hydrotreat at typical high temperature that promote the decarboxylation reaction is obviated, thereby reducing the production of CO2, generating a significantly higher proportion of saturated, long chain C14, C16 or C18 hydrocarbons (as opposed to short-chain carbons such as propane), and the more valuable glycerol product is secured.

A system and method for renewable diesel synthesis utilizes a triglyceride feedstock derived from biological sources. The first step involves hydrolysis of the triglycerides into an intermediate feedstock comprising a mixture of free fatty acids and glycerol (separated from the FFA by decantation and then distilled). The FFA is then further processed in a distillation step to produce a stream free of catalyst poisons and utilized as feedstock for hydrotreatment in a renewable diesel production process. By converting the initial triglyceride feedstock to an FFA feedstock, the need to hydrotreat at typical high temperature that promote the decarboxylation reaction is obviated, thereby reducing the production of CO2, generating a significantly higher proportion of saturated, long chain C14, C16 or C18 hydrocarbons (as opposed to short-chain carbons such as propane), and the more valuable glycerol product is secured.

A catalyst system for dewaxing of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a mixture of a first dewaxing catalyst composition and a second dewaxing catalyst composition, wherein the first dewaxing catalyst composition is a ZSM-12 zeolite based catalyst composition and the second dewaxing catalyst composition is a EU-2 and/or ZSM-48 zeolite based catalyst composition, and wherein a concentration gradient of the mixture is achieved within a single catalyst bed, such that the concentration of the first dewaxing catalyst is decreasing and the concentration of the second dewaxing catalyst is increasing through the catalyst bed; and a process for dewaxing of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with said catalyst system.

The present invention relates to the use, in a method for in-situ activation of at least one hydrotreating, in particular hydrocracking, catalyst, of at least one nitrogen compound having at least one of the following characteristics: a) a nitrogen content by weight in the range from 15 to 35 wt %, relative to the total weight of the nitrogen compound; b) a number of nitrogen atoms in the range from 2 to 20; c) a boiling point in the range from 140° C. to 300° C.; and d) said nitrogen compound being in liquid form at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The present invention also relates to the method for in-situ activation of at least one hydrotreating catalyst comprising at least one step of sulphiding said hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of a sulphiding agent, and a step of passivation of said hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of said at least one nitrogen compound.

The present invention relates to the use, in a method for in-situ activation of at least one hydrotreating, in particular hydrocracking, catalyst, of at least one nitrogen compound having at least one of the following characteristics: a) a nitrogen content by weight in the range from 15 to 35 wt %, relative to the total weight of the nitrogen compound; b) a number of nitrogen atoms in the range from 2 to 20; c) a boiling point in the range from 140° C. to 300° C.; and d) said nitrogen compound being in liquid form at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The present invention also relates to the method for in-situ activation of at least one hydrotreating catalyst comprising at least one step of sulphiding said hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of a sulphiding agent, and a step of passivation of said hydrotreating catalyst in the presence of said at least one nitrogen compound.

An improved process for the hydroconversion of micro carbon residue content of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks by the use of a catalyst composition that is especially useful in the conversion of micro carbon residue of such feedstocks. The catalyst composition is a low surface area composition that further has a specifically define pore structure the combination of which provides for its enhance micro carbon residue conversion property.