Indexes for refining chemicals increase at different rates

July 4, 2005
The costs of two chemicals used in crude refining changed little for the 3 years, 2002-04, while the costs of three others varied significantly.

The costs of two chemicals used in crude refining changed little for the 3 years, 2002-04, while the costs of three others varied significantly.

The accompanying table shows Nelson-Farrar indexes for these chemicals.

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The two stable chemicals were hydrofluoric acid with an index constant of 414.9; and sodium hydroxide, with an index average of 529.6.

Sulfuric acid rose slightly to 397.4 in the fourth quarter of 2004 from 353.0 in the first quarter of 2002.

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Platinum increased to 762.1 in 2004 from 458.8 in the first quarter of 2002. The yearly average for 2002 was 524.9 and 762.1 was the average for 2004.

Sodium carbonate experienced decreasing costs. During 2002-04, sodium carbonate showed a maximum index value of 330.3 and a minimum index of 306.5.

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The Nelson-Farrar overall inorganic chemical index showed a slight increase during the period, increasing to 523.6 in the fourth quarter of 2004 from 468.1 in the first quarter of 2002.