The Chemical Engineer's Book Corner

Chemical Process Technology

Author(s): Jacob A. Moulijn, Michiel Makke, and Annelies Van Diepen
Publisher: Wiley Publishing

Summary:  Make no mistake, this is a textbook designed for college students or for those not how are not well versed in chemical engineering.  Even at that, the book isn't weighted very well.  For example, sulfuric acid production garnished all of five pages.  Not too good considering that more sulfuric acid is produced on this planet than any other chemical. 

     The book is divided into the following main sections: 
Introduction
The Chemical Industry
Processes in the Oil Refinery
Steam Cracking: Production of Lower Alkenes
Synthesis Gas
Bulk Chemical and Synthetic Fuels Derived from Synthesis Gas
Inorganic Bulk Chemicals
Homogeneous Catalysis
Heterogeneous Catalysis-Concepts and Examples
Fine Chemicals
Polymerization Processes
Biotechnology
Process Development

Layout:    This is probably the best part of the book.  It's layout is very nice.  The authors wisely use diagrams, insets, and other methods to offset important information.

From the Book:

Highs:     Layout is nice.  Good book for those who don't know much about chemical engineering or who are interested in learning the basics about refining.

Lows:     Title is misleading.   Many very worthy topics are left out.  Probably should have been titled "Refining Technology for Non-Chemical Engineers".

Overall:     Again, the book does have an audience, but it's not nearly as wide as the authors would like to think.  Usually, chemical engineers are looking for books that do a good job of covering several topics or a great job of covering one or two topics, and this book doesn't really do either of them.

Rating:       (out of four stars)

Star Guide: