Desulfurization and isomerization of N-paraffins

摘要

A hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is desulfurized so as to contain less than 5, and preferably less than 2 ppmw of sulfur, in the first stage of a two-stage process. In the second stage, the feedstock is contacted with an isomerization catalyst useful for promoting n-paraffin isomerization reactions. A dual-function catalyst effective for simultaneously desulfurizing and isomerizing a hydrocarbon oil may be employed in the first stage. Alternatively, the dual-function catalyst may be employed in both the first and second stages. Alternatively still, the dual-function catalyst may be used to treat a feedstock containing n-paraffins in a single stage isomerization process.