| abstract |
A process for preparing a paraffinic product stream in the gasoline, middle distillate fuel and lube ranges from a C2-5-containing feedstock and a C20+ paraffinic feedstock is described. The combined feedstocks are subjected to molecular averaging via dehydrogenation to form olefins, metathesis of the olefins, and rehydrogenation of the olefins to form paraffins. The product stream includes a fraction rich in paraffins the molecular weights of which are between those of the light and heavy paraffin feedstocks, plus some unconverted feeds. The product of the molecular averaging reaction can optionally be isomerized to improve the octane value, in the case of gasoline, or pour point, in the case of middle distillate fuels and lubes. The unconverted feedstocks can be recycled to extinction. |