<p>David Wesson (January 14, 1902 – January 23, 1974) was an American physical chemist and oil industry consultant who made significant contributions to the development of the fluid catalytic cracking process, a key technology in the refining of crude oil.</p><p></p><p>Wesson received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1927. After working as a research chemist for several oil companies, he established his own consulting firm, Wesson & Associates, in 1940.</p><p></p><p>During his career, Wesson made several important contributions to the field of oil refining, particularly in the area of fluid catalytic cracking. This process, which uses a fluidized bed of catalytic particles to crack heavy hydrocarbons into lighter, more valuable products, is one of the most widely used methods for refining crude oil.</p><p></p><p>Wesson's work on fluid catalytic cracking led to the development of several new catalysts and process improvements, which helped to increase the efficiency and profitability of the oil refining industry.</p><p></p><p>Wesson was also a prolific author and lecturer, and was a regular contributor to scientific journals and industry publications. He was awarded several patents for his inventions and was recognized with numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of oil refining.</p><p></p><p>David Wesson was a pioneer in the field of oil refining and his contributions to the development of the fluid catalytic cracking process were significant. His work helped to revolutionize the oil refining industry, making it more efficient and profitable. His legacy continues to shape the industry today and his ideas and techniques continue to inspire researchers and engineers in the field of chemical engineering.</p><p></p><p></p>