This application describes a process for making hydrocarbons from an
oxygenate-containing
hydrocarbon feedstock having
high nitrogen impurities, such as animal fats. The process includes hydroprocessing of the
oxygenate-containing feedstock in a first hydroprocessing
bed disposed downstream of a finishing
bed. After the first hydroprocessing
bed, the
gas phase is removed and the liquid hydroprocessing phase is fed to the finishing bed, disposed upstream of the first hydroprocessing bed, along with fresh
hydrogen, which further reduces any
nitrogen impurities contained in the finished
hydrocarbon product. This particular process arrangement effectively removes
nitrogen impurities from the resulting
hydrocarbon product, resulting in an improved
cloud point after
isomerization, and at the same time this particular arrangement enables the efficient use of fresh
hydrogen for finishing, thereby providing a finished hydrocarbon product rich in
dissolved hydrogen, where a portion of the product can be used as a hydrocarbon
diluent in downstream hydroprocessing beds, and / or can be withdrawn between the finishing bed and the hydroprocessing bed and isomerized in an
isomerization reactor.