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AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorsEric D. Joseck, Michael Brian Carroll, David Mentzer, Sara M. Berberich, Yogi V. Shukla
Estimating the term…
Methods are provided for producing a plurality of lubricant base oil products with an increased overall yield. Prior to the final hydrocracking stage for viscosity index uplift, a feed for making a lubricant base oil is fractionated in order to form at least a feed for making a lighter lubricant base oil and a feed for making a heavier lubricant base oil. The fractionation cut points are selected to so that the feed fraction for forming a light lubricant base oil has a higher Noack volatility and a lower viscosity than the desired targets for the lighter lubricant base oil. The feed fractions are then hydroprocessed separately to achieve desired properties. After hydroprocessing, a portion of the heavier base oil is blended into the light lubricant base oil to produce a blended base oil product. This returns the volatility and the viscosity of the blended base oil to the desired specifications.
A method for producing a lubricant base oil, comprising:
The method of any of the above claims, wherein the pour point of the second hydroprocessed feed fraction is about −10° C. or less, or preferably about −15° C. or less, or more preferably about −25° C. or less
The method of any of the above claims, wherein the viscosity index of the first hydroprocessed feed fraction is at least about 95, preferably from about 100 to about 130, and more preferably at least about 110.
The method of any of the above claims, wherein the viscosity index of the second hydroprocessed feed fraction is at least about 95, preferably from about 100 to about 130, and more preferably at least about 110.
The method of any of the above claims, wherein the viscosity index of the second hydroprocessed feed fraction is less than the viscosity index of the first hydroprocessed feed fraction.
The method of any of the above claims, wherein the viscosity at 100° C. of the blended product fraction is at least about 0.3 cSt greater than the viscosity of the first hydroprocessed feed fraction, preferably at least about 0.5 cSt greater.
The method of any of the above claims, wherein the blended product fraction comprises from about 3 wt % to about 30 wt % of the second hydroprocessed feed fraction, preferably from about 5 wt % to 25 wt %, and more preferably from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt %.
The method of any of the above claims, wherein the Noack volatility of the blended product fraction is at least about 1.0 less than the Noack volatility of the first hydroprocessed fraction, preferably at least about 1.5 less or at least 2.0 less.
The method of any of the above claims, wherein hydroprocessing the first feed fraction comprises:
The method of any of the above claims, wherein hydroprocessing the second feed fraction comprises:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.