Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for production of base stocks with a viscosity index of at least 120 and/or a sulfur content of 300 wppm or less and/or a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 3.0 cSt to 8.0 cSt by hydroconversion of a raffinate from aromatic extraction of a feed. The base stocks can further have a reduced content of 3+ ring naphthenes, such as 4.0 wt % or less, or 1.0 wt % or less. The base stocks can be produced by performing an elevated amount of feed conversion relative to 370° C. during hydroconversion of the raffinate, and optionally additional conversion during catalytic dewaxing of the hydroconverted raffinate. The base stocks can optionally be blended with additional base stocks and/or lubricant additives for production of lubricant compositions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for production of base stocks with a viscosity index of at least 120 and/or a sulfur content of 300 wppm or less and/or a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 3.0 cSt to 8.0 cSt by hydroconversion of a raffinate from aromatic extraction of a feed. The base stocks can further have a reduced content of 3+ ring naphthenes, such as 4.0 wt % or less, or 1.0 wt % or less. The base stocks can be produced by performing an elevated amount of feed conversion relative to 370° C. during hydroconversion of the raffinate, and optionally additional conversion during catalytic dewaxing of the hydroconverted raffinate. The base stocks can optionally be blended with additional base stocks and/or lubricant additives for production of lubricant compositions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activation of noble metal catalysts that are supported on siliceous supports. The activation method can include limiting the amount of water vapor pressure and/or the time of exposure to the water vapor pressure during heating of the catalyst at temperatures of 50° C. or less. This can be achieved by introducing heated gas into multiple reactors of a multi-reactor system at the same time. A suitable system for introducing heated gas into multiple reactors can correspond to a system with multiple heated hydrogen lines for delivery of heated hydrogen to a plurality of reactors within a multi-reactor system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for production of base stocks with a viscosity index of at least 120 and/or a sulfur content of 300 wppm or less and/or a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 3.0 cSt to 8.0 cSt by hydroconversion of a raffinate from aromatic extraction of a feed. The base stocks can further have a reduced content of 3+ ring naphthenes, such as 4.0 wt % or less, or 1.0 wt % or less. The base stocks can be produced by performing an elevated amount of feed conversion relative to 370° C. during hydroconversion of the raffinate, and optionally additional conversion during catalytic dewaxing of the hydroconverted raffinate. The base stocks can optionally be blended with additional base stocks and/or lubricant additives for production of lubricant compositions.

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: Systems and methods are provided for activation of noble metal catalysts that are supported on siliceous supports. The activation method can include limiting the amount of water vapor pressure and/or the time of exposure to the water vapor pressure during heating of the catalyst at temperatures of 50° C. or less. This can be achieved by introducing heated gas into multiple reactors of a multi-reactor system at the same time. A suitable system for introducing heated gas into multiple reactors can correspond to a system with multiple heated hydrogen lines for delivery of heated hydrogen to a plurality of reactors within a multi-reactor system.

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 producing Group II and Group III base stocks with a controlled or consistent aromatics content. An aromatics-rich base stock, such as a Group I base stock or an alkylated aromatic base stock, can be added to the catalytically treated base stock in a minimal amount after the final catalytic treatment step but prior to fractionation. At the beginning of a processing run for forming lubricant base stock products, about 0.25 wt % to about 1.25 wt % of the Group I base stock can be added to a catalytically processed feed after the final catalytic processing stage but prior to fractionation to form the Group II and/or Group III base stock. During the course of the processing run, the amount of Group I base stock added can be reduced roughly in correspondence with the increase in aromatics caused by catalyst deactivation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing Group II/III lubricant base oil products where at least a portion of the feedstock for forming the lubricant base oil product is a solvent extract fraction from a Group I lubricant production facility. This can increase the overall volume of feedstock available for production of Group II/III lubricant base oils by using a lower value stream (Group I solvent extract) as a portion of the feedstock. The solvent extract fraction can be added to a full range lubricant feedstock or to a portion of a lubricant feedstock, such as adding an extract fraction to a higher viscosity portion (such as a heavy neutral portion) of a feedstock for lubricant production, while a lower viscosity portion (such as a light neutral portion) is processed without addition of an extract fraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for production of base stocks with a viscosity index of at least 120 and/or a sulfur content of 300 wppm or less and/or a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 3.0 cSt to 8.0 cSt by hydroconversion of a raffinate from aromatic extraction of a feed. The base stocks can further have a reduced content of 3+ ring naphthenes, such as 4.0 wt % or less, or 1.0 wt % or less. The base stocks can be produced by performing an elevated amount of feed conversion relative to 370° C. during hydroconversion of the raffinate, and optionally additional conversion during catalytic dewaxing of the hydroconverted raffinate. The base stocks can optionally be blended with additional base stocks and/or lubricant additives for production of lubricant compositions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for hydroprocessing a petroleum fraction, such as a bottoms fraction from a fuels hydrocracking process, to generate a lubricant base oil. The aromatic content of such a petroleum fraction can be reduced using a aromatic saturation stage with multiple catalyst beds, or alternatively using a reactor (or reactors) with multiple aromatic saturation stages. The catalysts in the various beds or stages can be selected to provide different types of aromatic saturation activity. An initial bed or stage can provide activity for saturation of 1-ring aromatics in the petroleum fraction. One or more subsequent beds or stages, operating at successively lower temperature, can then be used to reduce the multiple-ring aromatic content of the petroleum fraction.

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 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.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing multiple lubricating oil basestocks from a feedstock. Prior to dewaxing, various fractions of the feedstock are exposed to hydrocracking conditions of different severity to produce a higher overall yield of basestocks. The hydrocracking conditions of different severity can represent exposing fractions of a feedstock to different processing conditions, exposing fractions of a feedstock to different amounts of hydrocracking catalyst, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing Group II and Group III base stocks with a controlled or consistent aromatics content. An aromatics-rich base stock, such as a Group I base stock or an alkylated aromatic base stock, can be added to the catalytically treated base stock in a minimal amount after the final catalytic treatment step but prior to fractionation. At the beginning of a processing run for forming lubricant base stock products, about 0.25 wt % to about 1.25 wt % of the Group I base stock can be added to a catalytically processed feed after the final catalytic processing stage but prior to fractionation to form the Group II and/or Group III base stock. During the course of the processing run, the amount of Group I base stock added can be reduced roughly in correspondence with the increase in aromatics caused by catalyst deactivation.

Abstract: Conditions selected for lubricant base oil production can be used to also produce a high quality diesel product. The diesel product can have a cetane index or cetane number of at least 55, corresponding to a high value diesel fuel. The diesel product can also have good cold flow properties, such as a pour point of ?40° C. or less and/or a cloud point of ?25° C. or less. Additionally, the sulfur content of the diesel product can be low, such as less than 1 wppm. This can allow the diesel product to be blended with other potential diesel boiling range products that have a higher sulfur content while still meeting an overall diesel fuel specification. The aromatics content can also be low, allowing the premium diesel to comply with various regulatory requirements.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing Group II/III lubricant base oil products where at least a portion of the feedstock for forming the lubricant base oil product is a solvent extract fraction from a Group I lubricant production facility. This can increase the overall volume of feedstock available for production of Group II/III lubricant base oils by using a lower value stream (Group I solvent extract) as a portion of the feedstock. The solvent extract fraction can be added to a full range lubricant feedstock or to a portion of a lubricant feedstock, such as adding an extract fraction to a higher viscosity portion (such as a heavy neutral portion) of a feedstock for lubricant production, while a lower viscosity portion (such as a light neutral portion) is processed without addition of an extract fraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for hydroprocessing a petroleum fraction, such as a bottoms fraction from a fuels hydrocracking process, to generate a lubricant base oil. The aromatic content of such a petroleum fraction can be reduced using a aromatic saturation stage with multiple catalyst beds, or alternatively using a reactor (or reactors) with multiple aromatic saturation stages. The catalysts in the various beds or stages can be selected to provide different types of aromatic saturation activity. An initial bed or stage can provide activity for saturation of 1-ring aromatics in the petroleum fraction. One or more subsequent beds or stages, operating at successively lower temperature, can then be used to reduce the multiple-ring aromatic content of the petroleum fraction.

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.