Science of Techron
From state-of-the-art research facilities to real world testing, Chevron is proud to further the development of Techron gasolines.
Fuelled by science
From state-of-the-art research facilities to real world testing, Caltex is proud to further the development of Techron® gasolines. But how does it all work? How do we create quality gasoline that's proven at helping to keep your car running strong and free of harmful deposits? Come on into the lab and find out!
Testing ground
This is where it all begins. The testing ground. Here you see some new recruits – fresh valves, ready to be put through the paces. We're constantly testing and evaluating gasoline performance (ours and our competitors') under real-world conditions.
Ready for action
As part of the preparation process, valve seats are expertly machined to tighter than factory tolerances. Only the best for a Caltex test!
The weigh-In
We begin the tests by taking a valve's precise weight measurements. After all the testing, the valves are weighed again. The difference gives us the net deposit on the valve.
Putting it all together
Cylinder heads are carefully assembled with the new valves prior to running on the gasoline being tested.
The stress test
Cylinder heads are installed in a variety of test engines. Then they're connected to dynamometers and run hard under carefully controlled conditions.
Road trip
Test engines are also installed in a variety of vehicles and then run through a series of consistent, reproducible tests.
Poked, prodded and measured again
After testing, valves are removed and prepared for final weighing. Here moisture is removed in a dessication chamber to help ensure consistent measurement. Why subject these poor valves to such harsh conditions? Because humidity in the atmosphere can affect valve measurements.
Intake valve deposits
In addition to evaluating valve deposits by weight, they can be evaluated visually. Both methods are used to help ensure a complete data set. In this photo a visual rating is being conducted on a valve.
Combustion chamber deposits
Here one of the Fuels Technology Team members uses an electromagnetic thickness gauge to evaluate the amount of combustion chamber deposits on a cylinder head.
Octane is important
Our Fuels Technology Team is involved in research to assess the effect of octane on vehicle acceleration. Here scientists evaluate a modern vehicle's acceleration on a chassis dynamometer.
Fuel filter analysis
The Fuels Technology Team searches for fuel impurities to evaluate fuel cleanliness. Here a microscope is used to examine particles trapped in special filters.
Gasoline stability
Researchers use a Fuel System Temperature Simulator to evaluate the stability of gasoline in real world conditions. This automated instrument uses temperature data obtained from an actual vehicle with a recirculating fuel system to simulate the effect of a severe driving cycle on the fuel.
Detailed hydrocarbon analysis (DHA)
DHA of gasoline using a gas chromatograph reveals hundreds of compounds which make up gasolines. The Fuels Technology Team performs DHA on gasoline samples to evaluate the elimination of undesirable compounds.
