Abstract: Methods are provided for upgrading disadvantaged feeds for use in lubricant base stock production. A disadvantaged feed can be upgraded by hydroprocessing the feed to form a hydroprocessed bottoms fraction. The hydroprocessed bottoms fraction can then be used as a feed for forming Group I and/or Group II lubricant base stocks, optionally in combination with a conventional feed for lubricant production. The remaining portions of the hydroprocessing effluent can optionally be used for FCC processing and/or for other conventional applications of naphtha and distillate fractions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for rapidly characterizing a feedstock being considered for lubricant base oil production in order to determine the viscosity index potential of the feedstock. It has unexpectedly been discovered that the DDVI value for a feedstock at a specified pour point can be predicted based on a) the feed distillate residual wax content at a temperature as determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, such as the feed distillate residual wax content at a temperature corresponding to the specified pour point temperature; b) the feed distillate refractive index; c) the feed distillate kinematic viscosity at a temperature, such as kinematic viscosity at 100° C.; and d) the distillate volume-averaged boiling point. Based on this unexpected correlation, the VI potential of a feedstock can be determined based on measurement of properties that can be performed on a time scale corresponding to one or a few days using a few milliliters of feedstock.

Abstract: Methods are provided for upgrading disadvantaged feeds for use in lubricant base stock production. A disadvantaged feed can be upgraded by hydroprocessing the feed to form a hydroprocessed bottoms fraction. The hydroprocessed bottoms fraction can then be used as a feed for forming Group I and/or Group II lubricant base stocks, optionally in combination with a conventional feed for lubricant production. The remaining portions of the hydroprocessing effluent can optionally be used for FCC processing and/or for other conventional applications of naphtha and distillate fractions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for rapidly characterizing a feedstock being considered for lubricant base oil production in order to determine the viscosity index potential of the feedstock. It has unexpectedly been discovered that the DDVI value for a feedstock at a specified pour point can be predicted based on a) the feed distillate residual wax content at a temperature as determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, such as the feed distillate residual wax content at a temperature corresponding to the specified pour point temperature; b) the feed distillate refractive index; c) the feed distillate kinematic viscosity at a temperature, such as kinematic viscosity at 100° C.; and d) the distillate volume-averaged boiling point. Based on this unexpected correlation, the VI potential of a feedstock can be determined based on measurement of properties that can be performed on a time scale corresponding to one or a few days using a few milliliters of feedstock.

Abstract: Methods are provided for characterizing crude oils, crude fractions, or other potential feedstocks for forming lubricating base oils in order to determine the suitability of a feedstock for lubricating base oil production. One type of characterization is to determine the isoparaffin, naphthene, and/or aromatics contents of the distillate portion of a feedstock. A second characterization is to determine the viscosity index of a distillate portion of a feedstock after dewaxing the distillate portion to a target pour point.