Process for making non-carcinogentic, high aromatic process oil

Abstract

An atmospheric distillate stream is combined with a calculated amount of lubricant extract stream. This well-mixed stream is then hydrotreated to yield a non-carcinogenic, high aromatic process oil. A desired level of high aromatic lubricant product streams and having the desired solvency properties is achieved by varying the feed stream ratio and hydrotreating conditions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for producing a non-toxic aromatic oil having less than one mutogenicity index comprising the steps of: 
 pre-blending an extract from a lube plant and a distillate in a feed tank; and    hydrotreating said pre-blend feed in the next stage.    
     
     
         2 . A process for producing a non-toxic aromatic oil having a mutogenicity index of less than one comprising the steps of: 
 mixing a suitable grade, calculated amount of an extract stream to a distillate stream of desired properties; and    treating said pre-blend feed in a hydrotreator.    
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said extract is selected from the group consisting of different cuts of extracts of a lube plant.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said distillate is selected from the group consisting of different cuts of distillates of a vacuum distillation unit.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the proportion of said extract component to said distillate in said pre-blend is in the range of 1-99%.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the proportion of said extract component in said pre-blend is in the range of 1-50%.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said hydrogenation of said feed uses an appropriate hydrotreating catalyst selected for example from the group consisting of Nickel-Molybdenum and Nickel-Cobalt.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said hydrotreating process is performed at a pressure in the range of 400-3000 psi, and at a temperature in the range of 400-800° F.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8  wherein said hydrotreating process is performed at a pressure in the range of 900-1200 psi, and at a temperature in the range of 400-800° F.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8  wherein said hydrotreating process is performed at a pressure in the range of 400-3000 psi, and at a temperature in the range of 510-610° F.  
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said hydrotreating process is performed at a pressure in the range of 900-1200 psi, and at a temperature in the range of 510-610° F.