Page 28 - Fuels & Lubes International 2013 - Q1

F E A T U R E
As demand grows for
high-performance synthetic base
stock lubricants with improved
energy efficiency and durability,
exxonmobil Chemical is taking
steps to ensure formulators and
end users will not be disappointed.
In 2011, the company began the construc-
tion, at its existing integrated refining and
chemical complex in Baytown, Texas, U.s.a., of
a world-scale facility to manufacture metallo-
cene polyalphaolefin (mPao) synthetic lubricant
base stocks.
“Primarily, these high-viscosity Paos are
used in industrial applications and, to some
extent, also for automotive purposes,” said rob
sherman, global sales manager of the company’s
synthetic business. “once the plant in Bay-
town is fully operational, it will be the largest
high-viscosity Pao plant in the world,” added
sherman.
The facility will supply two viscosity
grades: spectrasyn elite™ 150 (150 centistoke
or cst), launched by exxonmobil Chemical
High-viscosity mPaos:
ExxonMobil Chemical sets ambitious
precedent for the synthetic base stock market
高粘度茂金属聚α烯烃（mPAO）：埃克森美孚化工针
对合成基础油市场设置了雄心勃勃的先例
作者：Lorena Tonarelli
in 2010, and spectrasyn elite™ 65, which the
company added to its mPao portfolio in may
last year. The latter is the world’s first 65 cst; it
enables customers to formulate a much lighter
range of lubricants with a single base stock, thus
simplifying the entire operation. Both products
are available in commercial quantities now and
are distributed globally through direct and
distributor channels.
Breakthrough synthetic base stocks
what makes spectrasyn elite™ mPao base
stocks a breakthrough is the fact that they are
created using a single-site metallocene catalyst.
Unlike other catalysts used for the production
of Paos, metallocene allows for a more uniform
and regular structure of the molecule, improv-
ing significantly the property characteristics
of the base stock, compared with conventional
Paos.
arguably a key improvement, in this re-
gard, is the increased viscosity index.
“The new spectrasyn elite™ product is re-
ally unique,” said Chris Birdsall, vice president
of exxonmobil Chemical synthetic business.
“Its improved viscosity index, coupled with a
significantly lower pour point, allows lubricant
formulations with better protection at high
temperatures, while maintaining excellent fluid-
ity at low temperatures—well below freezing.”
This is demonstrated by exxonmobil Chemical
laboratory data showing that spectrasyn elite™
mPaos have pour points well below -30oC .
The improved properties of using the
company’s metallocene base stocks allow
formulators to develop lubricants that
maintain high levels of performance in extreme
temperature conditions, said Birdsall. “so, if
you have a gear box in northern China, for
example, it will not only perform well during
a cold start on a winter morning, but also
in the heat of the operating temperature in
the gear box.” Lubricants formulated with
spectrasyn elite™ mPaos provide a thicker film
of protection, which helps protect the gear and
prevent wear, and consequently, improve the
equipment reliability.
greater shear stability is another key prop-
erty characteristic of spectrasyn elite™ mPaos.
The loss of viscosity that usually occurs as a
result of mechanical stress or shear—a phenom-
enon called shear thinning—is significantly re-
“The expansion, which is
expected to be fully
operational by 2014, will
increase the company’s
worldwide capacity of these
two synthetic base stocks
by 25%, said Birdsall.”
专题报道
FUELS & LUBES INTERNATIONAL Quarter One 2013 28