Gary Farrar, Contributing Editor
The costs of two important chemicals used in crude refining changed very little during 2004-06, while the costs of three others varied significantly.
The two stable chemicals were hydrofluoric acid with an index constant of 414.9 and sulfuric acid with an index average of 397.4.
Sodium hydroxide ended with 644.9 in fourth-quarter 2006, rising from 529.6 in first-quarter 2004.
Platinum rose significantly to 1,466.4 in the last quarter of 2006 from 762.1 during first-quarter 2004. However, the average for 2004 was 762.1, while 1,344.4 was the average for 2006.
Sodium carbonate rose to 470.5 in fourth-quarter 2006 from 306.5 in first-quarter 2004.
During 2004-06, sodium carbonate averaged 310.3, 357.4, and 452.4 for the 3 years, respectively.
The Nelson-Farrar overall inorganic chemical index showed an increase throughout the period, varying to 714.2 in fourth-quarter 2006 from 492.6 in first-quarter 2004.
