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The Chemical Engineer's Book Corner

coverHandbook of Chemical Engineering Calculations

Author(s): Nicholas P. Chopey
Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Bottom Line:  The best problem-solving reference specific to chemical engineering ever assembled.  Some people do, and will continue to, use this book more than "Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook".  Authoritive, concise, applicable, and valuable...everything a book should be!

Summary:  Example after example of applicable problems facing chemical engineers.  Each section was written by people who know the topics and have faced the problems to be solved time and time again.  In addition, valuable charts are also included when needed to solve the problem.  Few learning tools are as valuable as concise example problems written around applicable circumstances. 

     The book is divided into the following main sections: 
Physical and Chemical Properties
Stoichiometry
Phase Equilibrium
Chemical-Reaction Equilibrium
Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design
Flow of Fluids and Solids
Heat Transfer
Distillation
Extraction and Leaching
Crystallization
Absorption and Stripping
Liquid Agitation
Size Reduction
Filtration
Air-Pollution Control
Other Chemical Engineering Calculation    

Layout:    Each problem includes the problem statement and any "given" information.  Then each calculation step is numbered and titled.  After each solution, a section entitled "Related Calculations" explains how to approach similar problems (especially nice feature).

From the Book:

7-42 Condenser-Subcooler Test Data (Problem Statement Only)
     .............................................................................................
     Test data were obtained on a vertical condenser-subcooler for a pure component.  Compare the observed heat-transfer coefficient to that expected, and calculate the apparent fouling coefficient.  Data were obtained in late autumn and the water flow was cocurrent with the process flow in order to minimize the amount of subcooling.  Design inlet water temperature was 30 °C (86 °F).  (Condenser data and solution follows)

Highs:     Presents information in a format that can be used instantly.  Can often provide just the "boost" that engineers sometimes require in solving a problem.  As a bonus, both English and SI units are used throughout the text.

Lows:     Only one...no additional references for the rare case when you don't find what you're looking for in this book

Overall:     Again, we've heard engineers say that they've used this book more than Perry's and we believe them....that's the strongest statement yet about this book.

Rating:     3.5stars.gif (1022 bytes)  (out of four stars)

Star Guide:     starguide.gif (9683 bytes)

 


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