A process to convert paraffinic feedstocks into renewable poly-alpha-olefins (PAO) basestocks. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, renewable feed comprising triglycerides and/or free fatty acids are hydrotreated producing an intermediate paraffin feedstock. This paraffin feedstock is thermally cracked into a mixture of olefins and paraffins comprising linear alpha olefins. The olefins are separated and the un-reacted paraffins are recycled to the thermal cracker. Light olefins preferably (C2-C6) are oligomerized with a surface deactivated zeolite producing a mixture of slightly branched oligomers comprising internal olefins. The heavier olefins (C6-C16) are oligomerized, preferably with a BF3 catalyst and co-catalyst to produce PAO products. The oligomerized products can be hydrotreated and distilled together or separate to produce finished products that include naphtha, distillate, solvents, and PAO lube basestocks.

Processes for converting lignocellulose to feedstock and downstream products are disclosed. The processes may include acid treatment of lignocellulose to produce a fermentation feedstock. In various instances, the processes include recovery or recycling of acid, such as recovery of hydrochloric acid from concentrated and/or dilute streams. Downstream products may include acrylic acid-based products such as diapers, paper and paper-based products, ethanol, biofuels such as biodiesel and fuel additives, and detergents.

Processes for converting lignocellulose to feedstock and downstream products are disclosed. The processes may include acid treatment of lignocellulose to produce a fermentation feedstock. In various instances, the processes include recovery or recycling of acid, such as recovery of hydrochloric acid from concentrated and/or dilute streams. Downstream products may include acrylic acid-based products such as diapers, paper and paper-based products, ethanol, biofuels such as biodiesel and fuel additives, and detergents.

Processes for the production of hydrocarbons from a renewable feedstock in which the renewable feedstock is partially hydrogenated prior to being deoxygenated. The partially hydrogenation utilizes a lower pressure, lower purity or both hydrogen gas compared to the deoxygenation. The partially hydrogenated product may be stored in containers and transported to be deoxygenated. Prior to partially hydrogenation, the feedstock may be pretreated. After deoxygenation an isomerization zone may be used to increase the cold flow properties for a diesel fuel.

Processes for the production of hydrocarbons from a renewable feedstock in which the renewable feedstock is partially hydrogenated prior to being deoxygenated. The partially hydrogenation utilizes a lower pressure, lower purity or both hydrogen gas compared to the deoxygenation. The partially hydrogenated product may be stored in containers and transported to be deoxygenated. Prior to partially hydrogenation, the feedstock may be pretreated. After deoxygenation an isomerization zone may be used to increase the cold flow properties for a diesel fuel.

The present technology provides compositions that include at least about 98 weight percent (“wt %”) n-paraffins which, among other surprising features, may be suitable for use as a diesel fuel, an aviation fuel, a jet fuel blendstock, a blendstock to reduce the cloud point of a diesel fuel, a fuel for portable heaters, and/or as a charcoal lighter fluid. The composition includes at least about 98 wt % C.sub.7-C.sub.12 n-paraffins, where at least about 10 wt % of composition includes n-decane, at least about 20 wt % of the composition includes n-dodecane, and at least about 75 wt % of the composition includes even carbon number paraffins. The composition also includes less about 0.1 wt % oxygenates and less than about 0.1 wt % aromatics. The composition may be produced by a process that includes hydrotreating a biorenewable feedstock comprising at least one of palm kernel oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, microbial oil, or algal oil.

The present technology provides compositions that include at least about 98 weight percent (“wt %”) n-paraffins which, among other surprising features, may be suitable for use as a diesel fuel, an aviation fuel, a jet fuel blendstock, a blendstock to reduce the cloud point of a diesel fuel, a fuel for portable heaters, and/or as a charcoal lighter fluid. The composition includes at least about 98 wt % C.sub.7-C.sub.12 n-paraffins, where at least about 10 wt % of composition includes n-decane, at least about 20 wt % of the composition includes n-dodecane, and at least about 75 wt % of the composition includes even carbon number paraffins. The composition also includes less about 0.1 wt % oxygenates and less than about 0.1 wt % aromatics. The composition may be produced by a process that includes hydrotreating a biorenewable feedstock comprising at least one of palm kernel oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, microbial oil, or algal oil.

An integrated refinery process for removing mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream containing mercaptans and converting by-product disulfide oil to useful products. The process includes introducing the hydrocarbon stream containing mercaptans into an extraction vessel containing an alkaline solution and passing the hydrocarbon stream through an extraction section of the extraction vessel which includes one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks for reaction to convert the mercaptans to alkali metal alkanethiolates. Further, the process includes withdrawing a hydrocarbon product stream free of mercaptans from the extraction vessel and recovering spent caustic containing alkali metal alkanethiolates from the extraction vessel. Additionally, the process includes subjecting the spent caustic containing alkali metal alkanethiolates to air oxidation to produce a by-product stream containing disulfide oils (DSO) and sulfides and processing the by-product stream in a steam cracking unit to produce a DSO free product stream.

An integrated refinery process for removing mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream containing mercaptans and converting by-product disulfide oil to useful products. The process includes introducing the hydrocarbon stream containing mercaptans into an extraction vessel containing an alkaline solution and passing the hydrocarbon stream through an extraction section of the extraction vessel which includes one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks for reaction to convert the mercaptans to alkali metal alkanethiolates. Further, the process includes withdrawing a hydrocarbon product stream free of mercaptans from the extraction vessel and recovering spent caustic containing alkali metal alkanethiolates from the extraction vessel. Additionally, the process includes subjecting the spent caustic containing alkali metal alkanethiolates to air oxidation to produce a by-product stream containing disulfide oils (DSO) and sulfides and processing the by-product stream in a steam cracking unit to produce a DSO free product stream.

A system for processing a stream including fuel oil includes an atmospheric flash column for receiving the stream as feedstock and separate the stream into an atmospheric flash distillate stream and an atmospheric flash residue stream. The system includes a vacuum flash column for receiving the atmospheric flash residue stream and separating the atmospheric flash residue stream into a vacuum flash distillate stream, a vacuum flash residue stream, and a vacuum gas oil stream. The system includes a first hydrocracking unit for receiving and processing at least a portion of the vacuum flash residue stream to produce an intermediate stream and a slurry. The system includes a second hydrocracking unit for receiving and processing the vacuum gas oil stream and the intermediate stream to produce a naphtha product and a light ends product. The system includes a pelletization unit for receiving and processing the slurry to produce a pelletized product.