Abstract:
A process for upgrading low octane heavy naphtha, such as a 350*-430* F. cut from a conventional hydrocracking operation, or normally virgin crude fractions used to prepare premium jet fuel and middle distillate, as well as mixtures of the cracked and virgin fractions. By treating such hydrocarbons, e.g., the 350*430* F. cut, alone or in admixture with other hydrocarbons, with a dual functional catalyst composition comprising a metal hydrogenation component composited with a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite cracking component, product quality is upgraded. The conditions utilized in the process are less severe than that normally utilized in a hydrocracking operation but more severe than generally employed in hydrocracking operations so as to result in the conversion of the 350*-430* F. hydrocrackate fraction into a high-octane number C5- 350* F. naphtha. This C5350* F. naphtha product is amenable to further improvement by powerforming and/or special recycle. Catalysts which are of special interest in the practice of the ''''hydrocrackfining process'''' comprise the mixed nonnoble metal catalysts supported on crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites having a silica-toalumina mole ratio greater than 3.