Transforming raw materials into usable chemical products requires chemical, physical, and biological separation and synthesis processes that consume large amounts of energy for heating, cooling, or electrical power. Separations play a critical role and account for 40-70% of both capital and operation costs. The most widely used separation process is distillation, which accounts for as much as 40% of the industry's energy use. [Humphrey 1997] Chemical synthesis, predominantly heterogeneous catalytic processes, is the backbone of the industry. Process heat is integral and supports nearly all chemical operations.

Source: DOE 1999