Hydroprocessed Base Stocks Fractionation for Viscosity and Pour Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lubricant base oils struggle to meet stringent specifications for low temperature properties and oxidation stability, particularly when derived from non-traditional or challenged feeds, leading to suboptimal performance in engine and industrial oils.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the hydroprocessing of deasphalted oils to split them into fractions, which are then separately processed to form light neutral, heavy neutral, and bright stock fractions, allowing for the creation of base stocks with unique compositions that enhance viscosity index, pour point, and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional base oils are used to meet stringent specifications for low temperature properties and oxidation stability, then the lubricant performance is improved, but the additive content must be increased which causes miscibility problems and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the base stock by incorporating specific components (Group II base oil, polyalphaolefin, ester) in controlled proportions. This composition modification allows the base stock itself to provide oxidation stability and low temperature properties, reducing reliance on additives that cause miscibility issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the challenge of meeting stringent specifications into an opportunity to develop a specialized base stock composition that inherently provides the required performance. By designing a base stock with specific compositional characteristics, the patent transforms the need for high additive content into a benefit of reduced additive requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a range of base stocks spanning Group I, II, III, IV, and V are used to formulate engine oils, then the ability to meet diverse specifications is improved, but the formulation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal base stock composition that can serve multiple lubricant applications and meet diverse specifications. The multi-component formulation (Group II base oil, polyalphaolefin, ester) is designed to provide a broad range of properties including low temperature performance, oxidation stability, and viscosity characteristics, allowing it to replace multiple different base stock blends.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple base stock components into a single integrated base stock formulation. By combining Group II base oil, polyalphaolefin, and ester in specific proportions, the patent creates a unified base stock that consolidates the functions previously requiring separate base stock blends, thereby simplifying formulation while maintaining versatility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additives are increased to meet minimum performance standards, then the lubricant stability and viscosity are improved, but the miscibility problems and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the limitation of low additive content into an opportunity to enhance base stock composition. By carefully designing the base stock with specific components and proportions, the patent enables the base stock itself to provide stability and viscosity control, transforming the constraint into a benefit of reduced additive requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting base stocks exhibit improved viscosity index, pour point, and stability, enabling them to meet demanding specifications with reduced additive content, thus enhancing the performance of lubricant compositions.
Implementation Method 1
A process involving the hydroprocessing of deasphalted oils to split them into fractions
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for block operation during lubricant and/or fuels production from deasphalted oil. During "block" operation, a deasphalted oil and/or the hydroprocessed effluent from an initial processing stage can be split into a plurality of fractions. The fractions can correspond, for example, to feed fractions suitable for forming a light neutral fraction, a heavy neutral fraction, and a bright stock fraction, or the plurality of fractions can correspond to any other convenient split into separate fractions. The plurality of separate fractions can then be processed separately in the process train (or in the sweet portion of the process train) for forming fuels and/or lubricant base stocks. This can allow for formation of unexpected base stock compositions.