ExxonMobil’s Carla Pereira to Receive 18th Annual SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal

The Society of Chemical Industry America (SCI) has announced that Carla Pereira of ExxonMobil will be awarded the 18th annual SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal. This prestigious award recognizes early-career success in innovation, as reflected both in market impact and improvement to quality of life. Pereira will receive the Moore Medal at a luncheon in her honor during this year’s Innovation Day, an annual event hosted jointly by SCI and the Science History Institute. Innovation Day 2021 will be held on September 14, 2021, at the Institute’s headquarters in Philadelphia.

Pereira is a technology leader at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, where her work includes developing a novel solvent technology that enables energy efficient removal of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from natural gas streams. The removal of hydrogen sulfide is an essential processing step in the production of natural gas and clean fuels.

“Governments around the world have adopted stricter clean air regulations on sulfur admissions from processing facilities that typically required more equipment and more energy,” said John Paro, chairman and CEO of Hallstar and chair of SCI America. “Carla’s breakthrough work on OASE® sulfexx™ allows for efficient removal of hydrogen sulfide while lowering energy consumption, helping processors meet their sustainability goals. SCI is pleased to honor her outstanding work and contribution to science and industry.”

“We are proud that Carla’s research, tenacity, and collaborative spirit are being honored with this prestigious award,” said Michael Zamora, senior vice president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company. “As the ExxonMobil lead on this project, Carla’s innovative thinking and creativity propelled the team to overcome hurdles and develop a new technology that will benefit the industry and society as we look to reduce emissions and meet the world’s demand for energy.”

Pereira joined ExxonMobil Research and Engineering in 2014 as a senior researcher and became section head of the process intensification group in 2018. There, she led the testing of new absorbent molecules, designing and constructing new testing apparatus, which helped her team gain a better understanding of the chemistry and physical properties of the new molecules. She has co-authored a book, published 34 journal articles, and holds 5 granted patents.

About Carla Pereira

Carla Pereira is a section head at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, where her work includes researching and developing new solvent technology for use in the gas industry. She led a team that collaborated with BASF to create OASE® sulfexx™, a highly energy efficient gas treating technology. This technology is critical for energy efficient production of natural gas and clean fuels that meet increasingly strict clean air regulations on sulfur emissions from processing facilities.

Pereira received her PhD in chemical and biological engineering from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto in 2009 and served as a postdoctoral researcher and associate researcher at the university. She joined ExxonMobil Research and Engineering in 2014 as a senior researcher and became section head of process intensification in 2018.

In 2012, she received the PSE Model-Based Innovation Prize for her co-authored paper on a new technology application for green solvent and biofuel production. Pereira co-authored the book Simulated Moving Bed Technology, Principles, Design and Process Applications in 2015 and has published 34 journal articles. She holds 5 granted patents.

About OASE® sulfexx™

OASE® sulfexx™ is a highly energy efficient gas treating technology jointly developed by ExxonMobil and BASF, which helps refiners and gas processors to meet their sulfur removal targets while reducing carbon footprint. OASE® sulfexx™ provides a competitive advantage by increasing plant capacity and lowering investment and production costs. The technology is trademarked and available for licensing through BASF.

About the SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal

The Society of Chemical Industry America established the SCI America Gordon E. Moore Medal as the premier recognition for early-career success in innovation, as reflected both in market impact and improvement to the quality of life. By highlighting extraordinary individuals and their work, SCI aims to promote public understanding of research and development in the modern chemical industries, enhance the interest of students in applied chemistry by providing role models, and emphasize the role of creative research in the global economy.

About the Society of Chemical Industry

Launched in 1894, SCI America is part of the Society of Chemical Industry’s international organization. It provides a unique networking forum for chemical industry leaders, industrial scientists, and technologists to exchange new business ideas and best practices. It celebrates achievement to promote public awareness of the contributions of industrial chemistry and inspires students to enter technical careers. SCI America events are managed by the Science History Institute. The Gordon E. Moore award luncheon is the centerpiece of Innovation Day, a day to explore chemical research and breakthrough innovations.