Gary Farrar
Contributing Editor
The costs of two chemicals used in crude-oil refining went unchanged during 2008-10 and are no longer tracked, while the costs of three others varied significantly.
The two stable chemicals were hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid.
Platinum fell significantly to 900.9 in second-quarter 2009 from 1,593.1 in first-quarter 2008 before rallying back to 1,331.8 in fourth-quarter 2010. The average for 2008 was 1,524.5, however, while 1,183.9 was the average for 2010.
Sodium hydroxide rose from 753.7 in first-quarter 2008 and fell during 2009 to 890.7 in the third quarter.
Sodium carbonate rose slightly from 549.9 in first-quarter 2008 and ended with 691.7 in fourth-quarter 2010.
Over 2008-10, sodium carbonate averaged 688.5, 726.2, and 662.9, respectively for the 3 years.
The Nelson-Farrar overall inorganic chemical index varied throughout the period, from 834.6 in first-quarter 2008 to 1,006.2 in fourth-quarter 2010.
