Throughout the world, tightening environmental legislation is moving lubricant
marketers to demand higher performance from base oils. Chevron, a lubricant
marketer, invested millions of dollars during the last two decades developing
technologies that enable refiners to maximize the production of base oils from
any given feed while coproducing higher-value light products.
| Processing designed for profit and performance |
|
|
 |
CLG continues that
investment which has paid off with the development of a
three-step, all-hydroprocessing route for the production of base oils that
meet tomorrow's performance specifications today. This advanced processing
pathway permits refiners to improve product quality and processing flexibility
while achieving high return on investment from existing base oil processing
schemes or new, grass roots facilities.
More stringent finished lubricant performance specifications are driving the
demand for higher-quality base oils. These specifications call for:
- lighter viscosity grades for increased fuel economy.
- lower volatility for reduced oil consumption.
- improved oxidation and thermal stability for longer drain intervals.
- improved lubricant performance at low and high temperatures to meet the
needs of modern engine designs.
Previously, the only way to meet these requirements was through the use of
expensive PAO-based oils.
The challenge for refiners is to economically improve
the properties of finished base oils derived from vacuum gas oil
(VGO); refinery
process streams such as hydrocrackate or deasphalted oil
(DAO); raffinates;
foots oil and slack wax produced in existing solvent base oil facilities; or
other waxes.
CLG's all-hydroprocessing
technology is the only economical solution for meeting
the challenge of future requirements.