US Patent 7087152 Wax isomerate yield enhancement by oxygenate pretreatment of feed

A waxy hydrocarbon feed is catalytically dewaxed with a catalyst that has been selectively activated. The selective activation of the catalyst involves contacting the dewaxing catalyst with a feed mixture containing waxy hydrocarbon and at least one oxygenate. The process results in improved catalyst performance resulting in improved yield of isomerate at equivalent pour.