Choice Review

This new edition of a reliable standard first published in 1934 continues the tradition of an authoritative, handy reference source that has a tremendous amount of information. It is sure to be warmly welcomed by chemical engineers. The 160 contributors, approximately half of whom are fellows of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, are drawn about equally from industry and academe. Since the most recent edition (1984), the number of sections has increased to 30, with new sections on plant performance analysis, process safety, alternative separation processes, and chemical reactors. The older sections have been updated, especially those on fluid transport and storage and heat transfer equipment. Although the physical and chemical data are extensive, the largest portion of the volume deals with processes. It presents relatively little information about computer applications for chemical engineering. Each section begins with a detailed, well-organized table listing the contents of that section. In most sections, numerous helpful illustrations, tables, and bibliographies accompany the well-written text; a few sections are entirely tabular. A general index might have included greater detail; e.g., although the index has ten entries for sodium hydroxide, it does not distinguish among them. The work does not make use of Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers. The typeface seems slightly smaller than in the previous edition. However, no library should allow these limitations to preclude purchase. Libraries with programs in chemical engineering, chemistry, or chemical technology will want more then one copy. Very highly recommended. M. A. Manion; University of Massachusetts at Lowell