METHOD FOR ISOMERIZING WAX TO LUBE BASE OILS USING A SIZED ISOMERIZATION CATALYST

摘要

The present invention is directed to a process for the catalytic isomerization of waxes to liquid products, particularly to the production of high yields of liquid products boiling in the 370.degree.C+ range suitable for use as lube oil base stocks or blending stocks, said process employing as the catalyst a material made by depositing a hydrogenation metal component on a refractory metal oxide base, preferably alumina, fluoriding said metal loaded base using aqueous HF and subsequently crushing the fluorided metal loaded base to produce a sized material of 1/32 inch and less its largest cross-sectional dimension. Alternately the catalyst can be made by depositing a hydrogenation metal component on a refractory metal oxide base of 1/32 inch and less across its largest cross-sectional dimension and subsequently fluoriding said sized material using aqueous HF. In either case the catalyst is activated before being used by heating in a hydrogen atmosphere to from 350.degree.C to 500.degree.C for from 1 to 48 hour or more.