Process for upgrading an oligomerization product

Abstract

A process is provided for upgrading an oligomerization product through catalytic hydrotreating resulting in a synthetic lube base oil with improved pour point and viscosity index. The upgrading process includes contacting the oligomerization product with a catalyst system, under conversion conditions, which include the presence of hydrogen and a temperature sufficient to promote selective/minor cracking, hydrogenation and isomerization. The catalyst system contains a ZSM-5 zeolite and a group VIII metal.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for upgrading an oligomerization product comprising contacting said oligomerization product, under conversion conditions, with a catalyst system comprising a group VIII metal component and a ZSM-5 zeolite, thereby forming an upgraded oligomerization product.  
     
     
         2 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said group VIII metal component is platinum.  
     
     
         3 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said ZSM-5 is in the hydrogen form.  
     
     
         4 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said composition further comprises a porous carrier material.  
     
     
         5 . A process in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said porous carrier material is alumina.  
     
     
         6 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said oligomerization product comprises oligomeric olefins.  
     
     
         7 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said oligomerization product comprises a co-oligomer of a first olefin and a second olefin, said first olefin and said second olefin each having 15 or less carbon atoms per molecule.  
     
     
         8 . A process in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said first olefin is ethylene and said second olefin is propylene.  
     
     
         9 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said oligomerization product comprises a ter-oligomer of a first olefin, a second olefin, and a third olefin, said first olefin, said second olefin, and said third olefin each having 15 or less carbon atoms per molecule.  
     
     
         10 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said conversion conditions include the presence of hydrogen, a temperature in the range of from about 180° C. to about 400° C., and a pressure in the range of from about 0 psig to about 2000 psig.  
     
     
         11 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said conversion conditions include the presence of hydrogen, a temperature in the range of from about 190° C. to about 350° C., and a pressure in the range of from about 50 psig to about 1500 psig.  
     
     
         12 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said conversion conditions include the presence of hydrogen, a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 300° C., and a pressure in the range of from 150 psig to 1000 psig.  
     
     
         13 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said composition contains in the range of from about 0.1 to about 2.0 wt. % platinum.  
     
     
         14 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said 5 composition contains in the range of from about 0.2 to about 1.0 wt. % platinum.  
     
     
         15 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said composition contains in the range of from about 50 to about 99 wt. % ZSM-5 zeolite.  
     
     
         16 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said composition contains in the range of from about 70 to about 90 wt. % ZSM-5 zeolite.  
     
     
         17 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said upgraded oligomenzation product exhibits a lower pour point than said oligomerization product as determined using test method ASTM D97.  
     
     
         18 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said upgraded oligomerization product exhibits a greater viscosity index than said oligomerization product as determined using test method ASTM D567.  
     
     
         19 . A process as recited in  claim 1  wherein said upgraded oligomerization product exhibits a pour point that is less than about −20° C. as determined using test method ASTM D97.  
     
     
         20 . A process as recited in  claim 1  wherein said upgraded oligomerization product exhibits a pour point that is less than about −40° C. as determined using test method ASTM D97.  
     
     
         21 . A process as recited in  claim 1  wherein said upgraded oligomerization product exhibits a viscosity index that is greater than about 100 as determined using test method ASTM D567.  
     
     
         22 . A process as recited in  claim 1  wherein said upgraded oligomerization product exhibits a viscosity index that is greater than about 140 as determined using test method ASTM D567.