Union Carbide/Chevron Zeolite Catalyst Collaboration
Steve Miller
Chevron Fellow, retired
From the early 1970’s through the 80’s, zeolite scientists at Union Carbide invented a large number of zeolites and related molecular sieves of critical importance to the field of petroleum refining catalysis. This talk highlights some of the key inventions and commercial developments at Chevron based on those molecular sieves, where Chevron and Union Carbide closely collaborated to successfully bring those inventions to commercialization. Special emphasis will be given to the work at Chevron on the development of catalysts and catalytic technology for the dewaxing of lubricant base oil, leading to the commercialization of its ISODEWAXINGTM technology, which opened the door to the advanced fuel-efficient motor oils of today.