The approach can typically reduce energy use requirements, cooling (water) requirements, and environmental emissions per pound of distillate by 50%, while substantially reducing capital requirements for capacity increase revamps and new construction. If just 25% of all U.S. distillation were revamped by this approach as apposed to conventional, about 6x10 to the 14th power BTUs per year in energy use could be avoided, while increasing production by about 25%. The value of this potential 600 trillion BTU/yr saving is $1,500,000,000 at a $2.5/mmBTU fuel cost, $3,000,000,000 at $5/mmBTU, and $6,000,000,000 at $10/mmBTU.

In addition to fuel savings, there are capital cost savings ranging up to 40% or more, and increased production. For the U.S petroleum refining industry (which represents almost 60% of the potential energy saving), the 25% revamp represents a 25% or more increase in production, which is worth on the order of $8,000,000 per year in additional profit at a conservative $0.5/BBL profit margin. The capital savings would be much larger, possibly on the order of $6,000,000,000.

The 600 trillion BTU/yr energy saving has an associated decrease in air pollution, water use and wastewater discharges (including decreases of about 150 million ton/yr carbon dioxide, 70,000 ton/yr NOx, 280 million tons/yr fresh water and 15 million tons/yr wastewater).

Both the proposed petroleum refining (not awarded) and chemical industry (awarded) DOE programs and participants are described, as well as a program with the California Energy Commission (CEC).