Geoffrey E. Dolbear, Ph.D., Senior Chemical Consultant, is a process chemist with 34 years of industrial experience, more than 10 years as principal of G.E. Dolbear & Associates. In his career, he has developed catalysts and processes for several petroleum refining applications. His work in coal chemistry includes a project to develop a process for manufacturing polymer- grade terephthalic acid from coal.

He is an internationally recognized expert on hydroprocessing of petroleum, and the chemistry and reactions of residual oils. He is co-author with Dr. John Magee of the well-received book, Petroleum Catalysis in Non-technical Language. Dolbear is inventor on seven U.S. Patents.

Dolbear’s skills in process chemistry have been applied in a variety of projects in three major areas.

• Coal Chemistry – Leading a group of chemists and engineers developing a process for making terephthalic acid from coal. He worked with a client company to identify performance chemical applications for liquid byproducts from a coal drying process. With another company, he helped solve spontaneous combustion and dust formation problems with a dried coal product.

• Catalysts and Catalysis – Developing new and improved catalysts for refinery processes and air pollution control applications. He developed improved catalysts for methanation of coal-derived synthesis gas. He has edited and contributed to more than ten multiclient reports covering heterogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation, oxidation, and chemicals conversion.

• Refinery Processes – Applying physical and organic chemistry and chemical engineering to solving problems in commercial and developmental refinery processes. He is leading a team of consultants working with a refining company to develop a gas oil desulfurization process that relies on oxidation rather than hydrogenation. His work with heavy oils and resids provided a basis for improvements in a major hydroprocessing system. He contributes to a yearly course on hydrotreating and hydrocracking chemistry and engineering for refinery personnel.

Dolbear earned his BS in Chemistry at UC Berkeley and his Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Stanford, completing his dissertation under Nobel Prize winner Henry Taube.

Dolbear is an active member of the Division of Petroleum Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, serving as its Chair and Treasurer.

G.E. Dolbear & Assoc