is the removal of paraffin wax from lubricating oils to improve low temperature properties, especially to lower the cloud point and pour point. In solvent dewaxing, the oil is diluted with a solvent that has a high affinity for oil, chilled to precipitate the wax, filtered to remove the wax, stripped of solvent, and dried. In hydrodewaxing (also called cat-dewaxing), the oil is contacted with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure over a special catalyst that selectively cracks the normal paraffins, which are converted to methane, ethane, and propane. The oil is steam stripped and dried.