A novel process for forming hydrocarbon waxes from synthesis gas is
disclosed. This invention teaches a process whereby a Fischer-Tropsch wax
can be formulated such that the wax softness as defined by ASTM Standard
Test Method for Needle Penetration of waxes (ASTM D-1321) can be adjusted
to within a region most preferred for end use applications while
simultaneously removing undesirable impurities, such as oxygenates (e.g.,
primary alcohols), olefins, and trace levels of aromatics. In a
Fischer-Tropsch reactor, Fischer-Tropsch wax is formed from synthesis gas
in a catalyzed reaction. The Fischer Tropsch wax is then subjected to a
relatively mild hydroprocessing over a hydroisomerization catalyst under
conditions such that essentially no boiling point conversion is obtained,
but yet chemical conversions (e.g., hydrogenation and mild isomerization)
occur yielding a high purity, hydrocarbon wax product of reduced hardness.
