A process for increase conversion and yield and selectivity to normal paraffins by reducing the hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio for paraffin feeds with substantial butanes. The process works best with a low concentration of heavies and cyclics in the isomerization feed. High normal ratios of equilibrium, isobutane conversion, normal paraffins yield and selectivities are achieved for naphtha feed at low ratios of hydrogen to hydrocarbons.

A process for increase conversion and yield and selectivity to normal paraffins by reducing the hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio for paraffin feeds with substantial butanes. The process works best with a low concentration of heavies and cyclics in the isomerization feed. High normal ratios of equilibrium, isobutane conversion, normal paraffins yield and selectivities are achieved for naphtha feed at low ratios of hydrogen to hydrocarbons.

A method for producing a three-dimensional porous transition alumina catalyst monolith of stacked catalyst fibers, comprising: a) Preparing a paste in a liquid diluent of hydroxide precursor particles and/or oxyhydroxide precursor particles of transition alumina particles, all particles in the suspension having a number average particle size in the range of from 0.05 to 700 μm, b) extruding the paste nozzle(s) to form fibers, and depositing the extruded fibers to form a three-dimensional porous catalyst monolith precursor, c) drying the precursor to remove the liquid diluent, d) performing a temperature treatment of the dried porous catalyst monolith precursor to form the transition alumina catalyst monolith, wherein no temperature treatment of the porous catalyst monolith precursor or porous catalyst monolith at temperatures above 1000° C. is performed and wherein no further catalytically active metals, metal oxides or metal compounds are applied to the surface.

Tungstated zirconium catalysts for paraffin isomerization may comprise: a mixed metal oxide that is at least partially crystalline and comprises tungsten, zirconium, and a variable oxidation state metal selected from Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Ce, Ni, and any combination thereof. The mixed metal oxide comprises about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % tungsten, about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. % zirconium, and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % variable oxidation state metal, each based on a total mass of the mixed metal oxide. The mixed metal oxide has a total surface area of about 50 m.sup.2/g or greater as measured according to ISO 9277, and at least one of the following: an ammonia uptake of about 0.05 to about 0.3 mmol/g as measured by temperature programmed adsorption/desorption, or a collidine uptake of about 100 μmol/g or greater as measured gravimetrically.

Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C.sub.7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C.sub.7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C.sub.7+ normal paraffins. Methods for isomerizing normal paraffins may comprise: providing a feed mixture comprising at least C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins and lacking normal paraffins larger than C.sub.8; and contacting the feed mixture with a bifunctional mixed metal oxide catalyst under isomerization reaction conditions effective to form a product mixture comprising one or more branched paraffins formed from each of the C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins.

Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C.sub.7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C.sub.7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C.sub.7+ normal paraffins. Methods for isomerizing normal paraffins may comprise: providing a feed mixture comprising at least C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins and lacking normal paraffins larger than C.sub.8; and contacting the feed mixture with a bifunctional mixed metal oxide catalyst under isomerization reaction conditions effective to form a product mixture comprising one or more branched paraffins formed from each of the C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins.

Systems and methods for producing an isomerization product. One or more isomerization reactors comprising a catalyst may be used to process an isomerization feedstock comprising a primary n-paraffin reactant and hydrogen gas, and the isomerization reactor may be operated at a pressure parameter at which the partial pressure of the primary n-paraffin is within about 70% to about 130% of its equilibrium vapor pressure to isomerize the primary n-paraffin reactant.

Systems and methods for producing an isomerization product. One or more isomerization reactors comprising a catalyst may be used to process an isomerization feedstock comprising a primary n-paraffin reactant and hydrogen gas, and the isomerization reactor may be operated at a pressure parameter at which the partial pressure of the primary n-paraffin is within about 70% to about 130% of its equilibrium vapor pressure to isomerize the primary n-paraffin reactant.

A process for increase conversion and yield and selectivity to normal paraffins by reducing the hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio for paraffin feeds with substantial butanes. The process works best with a low concentration of heavies and cyclics in the isomerization feed. High normal ratios of equilibrium, isobutane conversion, normal paraffins yield and selectivities are achieved for naphtha feed at low ratios of hydrogen to hydrocarbons.

A process for increase conversion and yield and selectivity to normal paraffins by reducing the hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio for paraffin feeds with substantial butanes. The process works best with a low concentration of heavies and cyclics in the isomerization feed. High normal ratios of equilibrium, isobutane conversion, normal paraffins yield and selectivities are achieved for naphtha feed at low ratios of hydrogen to hydrocarbons.