JOURNAL O F CHEMICAL EDUCATION
THE CHEMICAL PROCESS INDUSTRIES
R. Nor& Shreve, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University. Second edition. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1004 pp. New York, 1956. xvi Many figs. and tables. 16.5 X 23.5 cm. $11.50. Textbook edition, $8.50.
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THIS is the second edition of a book which has been widely used for the past ten yews (see J. CBEM. Eouc., 22, 467 (1945) for a review of the first edition). Although the titles of the 39 ohapters are the same in the two editions and the size is about the same (957 pp. to 1004 pp.), the text, statistics, illustrations, and references have been brought up to date. In both editions the important chemicd processes have been resolved into the series of unit operations and unit processes comprising the process. Where possible the heat of reaction is given for the process shown in a chemical equation. For minor chemicals, an equation and a few lines of description of production and uses suffice.
Three chapters give a general introduction sndexplain unit operations and processes; nine chapters -discuss ma&rials such as water, fuel gases, cersmic industries, and the like; nine chapters cover the inorganic process industries, salt, caustic, chlorine, sulfuric acid, ammonia and the like; this leaves eighteen chapters for organic process industries, from detergents, sugar, and fibers to chemical warfare agents. The index is detailed and lists all subjects and compounds discussed. In the new edition the same problems are placed in the appendix to the book. Each chmter concludes with a list of the sources of information. Because of the large number of chemicals and processes discussed, this book will continue to be used widely by both chemists and chemical engineers as a first source of information. KENNETH A. KOBE
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. VOLUME TWO: UMT OPERATIONS
3. M. CouIson, King's College, Newcastle-on Tyne, and I. F. Richardson, Imperial College of Scienoe and Tech-
nology. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 589 pp. Figs. New York, 1955. xvi and tables. 16.5 X 23.5 cm. $9.
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VOLUME I of this English text was reviewed a little aver a year ago and now Volume I1 has appeared to complete this entry into the field of texts on unit operations of chemical engineering. Volume I covered fluid flaw, heat transfer, mass transfer, and their interrelation as the fundamental mechanisms of the rest of the unit operations. In Volume I1 the authors have done a good job of applying these fundamentals to the other unit operations and to the design of commercial equipment. They have followed the recent trend of grouping the unit operations according to certain common elements. Thus all of their unit operations are grouped as follows:
VOLUME 33, NO. 12, DECEMBER, 1956 (1) Flow of fluids past particles.
(2) Systems involving relative motion between a fluid and particles. (3) Applications of mass transfer. (4) Applications of heat transfer. (5) Size reduction, classification, mixing. Some of the general problems of scaling up are discussed in the chapter on mixing and particular features are discussed throughout the book. The illustrations of commercial equip ment are excellent and the general format of the hook is pleasing. These two volumes could serve as a useful text in undergraduate courses with the reservation that care would have to be used because of it8 being an English book. I t certainly maken a welcome addition as a reference text in the unit operations field. 8. RICKLIN
Rrcsbia R ~ a ~ * n cAae s o c r m ~ s P ~ O V ~ ~ RHODE N C E ISLAND .
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our knowledge of the biochemical functions of vitamin B,s in animals and in mieraorgmisms. The thirteenth symposium is successful and fills a special need for those in the field. The hook itself is of good general quality, adequately illustrated, and maderately priced. IRVING H. SHER GUSTAV J. MARTIN THENATIONAL DBUGCOMPANY P , ~ * D E L S H IPENNBYIVANI* *,
CATALYSIS. VOLUME m: HYDROGENATION AND DEHYDROGENATION
W. W. RUSSELL B n o w ~UN~VERBITY PROV~DENCE. RHODEIBL*ND
Edited by P o d H. Emmett, Gult Research and Development Company's Multiple Fellowship, Mellon Institute. Reinhdd Publishing Corp., New York, 1955. vii 504 pp. 9 8 figs. 101 tables. 15.5 X 23.5cm. $12.
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Tnrs text is the third in a series dealing with the subject matter of catalysis. I t consists of ten chapters written by several authorities, and edited by Paul H. EmEdited by R. T. Williams. Cambridge mett. The first 50 pages, written by University Press, New York, 1955. 123 Trapnell, develop the background and pp. 20 figs. 22 tables. 16.5 X 25.5 give the present status of parahydrogen and orthodeuterium conversions, and cm. $3.75. also hydrogen-deuterium exchange. In Tnrs volume consists of papers pre- the next 30 pages Eley critically discusses sented at the symposium held at The the present status of the much studied London School of Hygiene and Tropical catalytic hydrogenation of ethylene. In Medicine on February 19, 1955. The regard to the mechanism of this hydrocontributors to this symposium try to genation he concludes that "no really bring the readers up to date on various critical experiments far deciding this aspects of the title theme. Vitamin BI1 mechanism have as yet been made!' In constitutes too large and active a field for the following 30 pages Corson discusses the coverage in such a. set of papers to be the catalytic hydrogenation of olebic exhaustive. However, the authors have hydrocarbons including selective bydrosucceeded in bringing forth a very good genation, and also suitable catalysts, book in a concentrated style, mainly including calciom-ammonia. and alkali covering the later work just short of the metals. About 40 pages are devoted by final (except possibly as regards the Bond to a consideration of the addition of double-bond arrangement) mnounoement hydrogen to carhon-carbon triple bonds. of the complete structural formula, for Catalysts, bond energies, and reaction vitamin B,, by Hodgkin, el al. mechanisms are discussed for both gasAfter an introduction by Sir Alexander phase and liquid-phase hydrogenations, Todd, E. Lester Smith briefly discusses especidy for acetylene and methyl acethe isolation and rhemistry of this extraord- tylone. Chapter five consists of 20 pages inarily complex vitamin. The next devoted to a discussion by Smith and paper by S. K. Kon gives an cxcellcnt Bedoit of the cstalytic hydrogenation of description of the multitude of other fao- nitro compounds, principally over nickel tors related to vitmin Bls while the s p e or platinum. In Chapter six covering r i b methods of measurement of this as- some 90 pages Frankenburg makes a sortment are covered hy M. E. Costes and rather complete survey of developments J. E. Ford. "The absorption and ex- in the catalytic synthesis of ammonia cretion of vitamin BU in man" by D. L. (from nitrogen and hydrogen) during the Mollin and S. J. Baker includes the perti- period from 1820 to 1940. In Chapter nent clinical work and recent data. In- seven written by Bokhoven, van Heerden, trinsic factor remains one of the less un- Westrik, and Zwietering over 80 pages are derstood facets of the B1n story, and for devoted to important research developthis reason one might wish for an even ments in ammonia synthesis since 1940, more complete presentation of the subject considerable of the data being previously than that given by A. L. Latner in his unpublished. Chapter eight comprising interesting paper on this subject. The some 60 pages devoted to the synthesis of book concludes with two papers by H. methanol is written by Natta and draws R. V. Arnstein and by J. Lascelles and to a considerable extent upon the auM. J. Cross which describe, respectively, thor's extensive work on this synthesis. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY SYMPOSIA NO. 13: THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF VITAMIN B,,
About 35 pages are devoted by Feuge in Chapter nine to the problems of hydrogenation of glyceride oils, and the properties and preparation of suitable catalysts. The last chapter of about equal length is written by Kearhy and is devoted to catalytic dehydrogenation, primarily of petroleum products to olefins, diolefins, and styrene. This latest addition to the Crttdy& series maintains the high standard of excellence which has characterized t6e preceding volumes and is a book which will bo widelv read bv all havine an interest in this fikd.
THE ALKALOIDS: CHEMISTRY KM) PHYSIOLOGY. VOLUME V. PHARMACOLOGY Edited by R. H. F. Manske, Dominion Rubber Research Laboratory, Guelpb, Ontario. Academic Press, Ine., New 388 pp. Tables. York, 1955. ir 16 X 23.5 cm. $9.50.
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THERE is little doubt that Vohmes I-IV of this series constitute the most exhaustive and authoritative treatment of the chemistry of the alkaloids which is currently available. Since in these earlier volumes only about onefourth of the chapters contained sections on pharmacology, the editor has used the present volume to round out the area which is concerned with physiological activity. The result is a. very useful pharmacological supplement to an already standard chemioal treatise. The pharmacological presentation is not, however, as camprehensive as is the treatment of the chemistry afforded in Volumes I-IV. Notable omissions would include discussions of the pharmacology of reserpine and protoveratrine. Perhaps these will be covered in a mpplementay volume. The pharmacological treatment adopted in Volume V is based on the physiological action of the alkaloids rather than on chemical strub ture. For this reason alkaloids of diverse structure but similar actions are discussed in each of the separate sections. Chapters covering the following are included: Narcotics and Analgesics, Cardioactive Alkdoids, Respiratory Stimulants, Antimalarials, Uterine Stimulants, Aneathe6 ics, Pressor Alkaloids, Mydriatics, and Curare-like Effects. Also included is a chapter on Lycopodium alkaloids and one on miscellaneous alkaloids. Volume V of this series is recommended as a valuable companion to the elegant chemical treatment given in Volumes I-IV. E D M U N D C. KORNFELD
L~LLV REBEARCH LABORATORIES IND,*N*POL,B.IND,*N*
