Industry Glossary

The definitions contained in this "Chemical Glossary" are merely generic definitions that may prove helpful to those using this Web site. They do not supercede, nor are they intended to supercede, the definitions or specifications that may apply to various technical terms as they are used in specific Chevron Phillips Chemical documents, agreements, proposals or offerings, or in Chevron Phillips Chemical or third party patents.

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Absorbent	A substance that penetrates the inner structure of another, used to remove or extract one of the compounds of a mixed stream. The component is subsequently separated from the absorbent, usually by distillation.
ABS resin	Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene copolymer. A group of tough, rigid thermoplastics derived from the monomers in the name. Uses include automobile and boat parts and fittings, business machines, packaging and other articles.
Accelerator	A compound, usually organic, that greatly reduces the time for a reaction to take place.
Acetylene	A colorless gas derived by cracking hydrocarbons with steam or by partial oxidation of natural gas. In the chemical industry, it is a by-product of ethylene. It is used as an industrial gas and to produce vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, and carbon black.
Acrylonitrile	A monomer derived mainly from the reaction of propylene or acetylene with HCN. This is a key raw material used in the fiber, plastics, and rubber industries.
Additive	A substance, added to a base material, in low concentrations, to perform a specific function such as to preserve, thicken, disperse or color. Chevron Phillips Specialty Chemicals and PAO organizations sell a range of additives and additive feedstocks that are used in industries such as mining, drilling, fuels, food, and personal care
Adsorbent	A substance that can trap molecules of other substances on its surface.
Alkylation	A petrochemical process in which an alkyl radical is introduced to another molecule. Chemicals produced using alkylation chemistry include cumene, dodecylbenzene, and ethylbenzene. In the oil industry, alkylation refers to a process for making a high-octane blending component for gasoline.
Alpha Olefins	A range of highly linear terminal olefins formed by oligomerization of ethylene. Examples include 1-butene (C₄⁼), 1-hexene (C₆⁼), and 1-octene (C₈⁼). A.k.a. NAO (Normal Alpha Olefins) or LAO (Linear Alpha Olefins). Alpha olefins are major petrochemical building blocks, which serve as polyethylene co-monomers and as reagents to form surfactants, plasticizers, and additives. NAO’s and NAO derivatives are used in a wide range of applications including: synthetic motor oils for jet engines and automobiles, synthetic lubricants, synthetic drilling fluids, additives for lube oil and the upstream oil industry, paper sizing, flavors, candles, PVC lubes, detergents, and a number of personal care items. Chevron Phillips Chemical is one of the largest producers in the world.
Aromatics	A highly reactive group of hydrocarbons with unsaturated rings of carbon atoms, enabling the production of a wide variety of products. As the name suggests, aromatics have a distinctive odor.
Aromax® process	A Chevron Phillips Chemical proprietary process for production of benzene.