Catalytic cracking process for biofeeds

Abstract

A process of catalytically cracking a feedstock based on a biocomponent contacts the feedstock with a catalytic cracking catalyst comprising a basic metal oxide on a porous oxide support at an elevated cracking temperature to eliminate oxygen from the biocomponent to form cracked hydrocarbon residues. The basic metal oxide of the cracking catalyst is preferably a metal oxide of Group 2 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC) such as calcium or magnesium on a support comprised of a non-acidic form of alumina such as gibbsite or boehmite. Preferred feedstocks are those based on triglycerides, especially vegetable oils, animal fats and algae oils.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process of catalytically cracking a feedstock comprising a biocomponent which comprises contacting a feedstock comprising a biocomponent with a catalytic cracking catalyst comprising a basic metal oxide on a porous oxide support at an elevated cracking temperature to eliminate oxygen from the biocomponent to form cracked hydrocarbon residues. 
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the basic metal oxide comprises an oxide of a metal of Group 2 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC). 
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the basic metal oxide is calcium or magnesium. 
     
     
         4 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the cracking catalyst has a surface area (BET) of at least 30 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the cracking catalyst has a surface area (BET) of at least 50 m2/g. 
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the porous oxide support comprises a metal oxide. 
     
     
         7 . A process according to  claim 6 , wherein the porous oxide support comprises a low-acidity alumina. 
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 6 , wherein the proportion of the metal of the basic metal oxide in the catalyst is at least 5 mol percent relative to the metal of the porous support material. 
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 6 , wherein the proportion of the metal of the basic metal oxide in the catalyst is at least 10 mol percent relative to the metal of the porous support material. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 6 , wherein the proportion of the metal of the basic metal oxide in the catalyst is at least 20 mol percent relative to the metal of the porous support material. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock comprises a biocomponent comprising at least one triglyceride. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 11 , wherein the feedstock comprises a biocomponent comprising a vegetable oil. 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock comprises a biocomponent and a mineral oil. 
     
     
         14 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock comprises a biocomponent and a processed biocomponent. 
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon residues produced from the catalytic cracking comprise not more than 60 weight percent aromatics. 
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon residues produced from the catalytic cracking comprise not more than 50 weight percent aromatics. 
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon residues produced from the catalytic cracking comprise at least 40 weight percent paraffins/naphthenes/olefins. 
     
     
         18 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein in the hydrocarbon residues produced from the catalytic cracking comprise at least 50 weight percent paraffins/naphthenes/olefins. 
     
     
         19 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon residues produced from the catalytic cracking comprise at least 15 weight percent distillate boiling above the gasoline boiling range. 
     
     
         20 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon residues produced from the catalytic cracking comprise at least 2 weight percent ethylene.