Selective hydrocracking of normal paraffins

Abstract

Provided is a process for hydrocracking normal paraffins into lighter normal paraffins with minimal formation of iso-paraffins. The process comprises hydrocracking a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising normal paraffins under hydrocracking conditions. The reaction is run in the presence of a selected catalyst, e.g., an LTA-type zeolite, with a requisite topology and acid site density. The zeolite has a framework type with voids greater than 0.50 nm in diameter, which are accessible through apertures characterized by a longest diameter of less than 0.50 nm and a shortest diameter of more than 0.30 nm. The reaction conducted in the presence of such a selected zeolite produces an n-paraffin rich product.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.