Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to the present invention provides for multi-grade engine oil formulations comprising a diester component, wherein the diester component comprises vicinal diester species, and wherein at least a portion of said diester component is bio-derived. Many such formulations of the present invention are expected to favorably compete with similar, existing formulations comprising synthetic esters, but such formulations are generally expected to meet or exceed such existing formulations in a number of areas including, but not limited to, economics, biodegradability, and/or toxicity.

Abstract: We provide a process, comprising: a. oligomerizing propylene in ionic liquid; b. optionally alkylating the oligomer; to make a base oil having: i. a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 2.9 mm2/s or greater, ii. a viscosity index from 25 to 90, and iii. a low cloud point. We provide a process, comprising: oligomerizing a feed comprising propylene and propane to make a base oil having: i. from 45 to 70 wt % hydrocarbons boiling at 900° F. or higher, ii. a viscosity index from 25 to 90, and iii. a low cloud point. We provide a process, comprising: a. mixing longer chain alpha olefins with propylene; b. oligomerizing the feed, to make a base oil having: i. a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. greater than 10 mm2/s; ii. a viscosity index from 50 to 90; iii. a low pour point; and iv. a low cloud point.

Abstract: A process, comprising: a. selecting a kinematic viscosity; b. feeding an olefin feed comprising a propylene to an oligomerization zone; c. tuning an oligomerizing step to produce a base oil having the kinematic viscosity and a viscosity index from 20 to 90. A process, comprising: a. selecting a kinematic viscosity that is greater than 20 mm2/s; b. feeding a feed comprising propylene to an oligomerization zone; and c. adding a Brönsted acid to produce a base oil. A process, comprising tuning a step in an oligomerization zone comprising a propylene and an ionic liquid catalyst to produce a base oil having: a. a high kinematic viscosity; b. a viscosity index from 25 to 90; and c. a low pour point. A base oil, comprising oligomerized olefins, wherein the base oil has: a. a high kinematic viscosity; b. a viscosity index from 25 to 90; and c. a low pour point.

Abstract: We provide a base oil, comprising one or more oligomerized olefins, wherein the base oil has: d. a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. greater than 2.9 mm2/s; d. a viscosity index from 25 to 90; and f. a cloud point less than ?55° C. We provide a base oil made by oligomerizing propylene in an ionic liquid catalyst, where the base oil has a viscosity index from 25 to 90 and the base oil is colorless. We also provide a base oil made by oligomerizing an olefin feed comprising propylene in an acidic alkyl-pyridinium chloroaluminate ionic liquid, wherein the base oil has a viscosity index at 100° C. greater than 2.9 mm2/s, a viscosity index from 25 to 90, and a cloud point less than ?55° C.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst, comprising: a. contacting the catalyst and hydrogen with a supported hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions; and b. recovering a conjunct polymer that is a clear and colorless oil from the catalyst. A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers comprising the steps of contacting the used catalyst and hydrogen with a supported hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon in which saturated conjunct polymers are soluble for a time sufficient to hydrogenate at least a portion of the conjunct polymers; and recovering the saturated conjunct polymers. Also, a process comprising: contacting the used acidic ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component under hydrogenation conditions; and recovering a conjunct polymer that is a clear and colorless oil.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions comprising one or more isomeric mixtures of diester species. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor material from which mono-unsaturated free lipid species can be provided or otherwise generated, wherein such mono-unsaturated free lipid species arc converted to isomeric diol species en route to the synthesis of diester species for use as/in the diester-based lubricant compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via direct esterification of epoxide intermediates. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and tatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.

Abstract: We provide a process for making a base oil, comprising: a) selecting an olefin feed produced by thermal cracking of a waxy feed; b) oligomerizing the olefin feed in an ionic liquid oligomerization zone at a set of oligomerization conditions to form an oligomer; and c) alkylating the oligomer in the presence of an isoparaffin, in an ionic liquid alkylation zone, at a set of alkylation conditions to form an alkylated oligomeric product having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 6.9 mm2/s or greater, a VI of at least 134, and a Bromine Number of less than 4. We provide a process to make base oil from an olefin feed produced in a FCC unit. We also provide a process to make two or more viscosity grades of base oil from an olefin feed produced by thermal cracking of a waxy feed.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to triester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such triester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor comprising mono-unsaturated fatty acids, wherein such mono-unsaturated fatty acids are reduced to mono-unsaturated fatty alcohols en route to the synthesis of triester species for use as/in the triester-based lubricant compositions. Subsequent steps in such synthesis may employ carboxylic acids and/or acyl halides/anhydrides derived from biomass and/or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst with at least one ‘regeneration’ metal in a regeneration zone in the presence of added hydrogen under regeneration conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst is described. In one embodiment, regeneration is conducted in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to diester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst with at least one ‘regeneration’ metal in a regeneration zone in the presence of added hydrogen under regeneration conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst is described. In one embodiment, regeneration is conducted in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic catalyst which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers by removing the conjunct polymers so as to increase the activity of the catalyst is disclosed. Methods for removing the conjunct polymers include addition of a basic reagent and alkylation. The methods are applicable to all acidic catalysts and are described with reference to certain ionic liquid catalysts.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst, comprising: a. contacting the catalyst and hydrogen with a supported hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions; and b. recovering a conjunct polymer that is a clear and colorless oil from the catalyst. A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers comprising the steps of contacting the used catalyst and hydrogen with a supported hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon in which saturated conjunct polymers are soluble for a time sufficient to hydrogenate at least a portion of the conjunct polymers; and recovering the saturated conjunct polymers. Also, a process comprising: contacting the used acidic ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component under hydrogenation conditions; and recovering a conjunct polymer that is a clear and colorless oil.

Abstract: We provide a process to make a lubricant component, comprising: a. oligomerizing a feed comprising one or more olefins in an ionic liquid oligomerization zone, at oligomerization conditions, to form an oligomer; and b. alkylating the oligomer in the presence of an isoparaffin, in an ionic liquid alkylation zone, at alkylation conditions including a molar ratio of one or more olefins and one or more isoparaffins of at least 0.8, to form an alkylated oligomeric product that is a lubricant component having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of at least 6.9 mm2/s, a VI of at least 134, a cloud point less than or equal to ?28° C., and a Bromine Number of less than or equal to 6.1.

Abstract: An ionic liquid catalyst, which has been regenerated by contacting a used ionic liquid catalyst with at least one regeneration metal in a regeneration zone in the presence of added hydrogen under regeneration conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst. Also, an ionic liquid catalyst which has been regenerated by contacting a used ionic liquid catalyst with at least one regeneration metal in a regeneration zone in the presence of added hydrogen under regeneration conditions in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon in which conjunct polymers are soluble for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst.

Abstract: A process for removing metal halides from regenerated ionic liquid catalyst comprising interacting a regenerated ammonium-based metal-halide ionic liquid catalyst or an ammonium-based metal-halide ionic liquid catalyst undergoing regeneration with either the parent ammonium halide salt from which the ionic liquid catalyst was made or a corresponding mixed salt having an ammonium halide to metal halide molar ratio of 0 to less than 2.0 is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an ionic liquid catalyst comprising an alkyl-pyridinium haloaluminate and an impurity, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst has a molar ratio of Al to N greater than 2.0 when held at a temperature at or below 25° C. for at least two hours.

Abstract: There is provided an ionic liquid system for isoparaffin/olefin alkylation, comprising a quaternary ammonium chloroaluminate, a conjunct polymer, and a hydrogen chloride. The ionic liquid system has a molar ratio of Al to N from 2.1 to 8.0. Less than 0.1 wt % AlCl3 precipitates from the ionic liquid system when it is held for three hours or longer at or below 25° C. There is also provided an alkylation reactor comprising an ionic liquid catalyst comprising an ammonium chloroaluminate salt, and having a molar ratio of Al to N greater than 2.0, when the ionic liquid catalyst is held at a temperature at or below 25° C. for at least two hours. There is also provided an alkylation reactor comprising an ionic liquid catalyst comprising an alkyl-pyridinium haloaluminate and an impurity.