Book Review pubs.acs.org/OPRD
Chemical Process Technology, Second Edition Chemical Process Technology, 2nd ed., by J. A. Moulijn, M. Makkee, and A. E. Van Diepen; Wiley: New York, 2013; 566 + xiv pages, £39.95 paperback, £110.00 Hardcover, ISBN 978-1444-32025-1. he first edition of “Chemical Process Technology” was well-reviewed, so a second edition (with new authors) is most welcome. The book is based on courses the authors have given in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology and attempts to “bring alive the concepts forming the basis of the Chemical Process Industry and to give a solid background for innovative process development”to quote the preface. The emphasis is on petrochemical and bulk chemicals made by continuous processes, although Fine Chemicals are discussed in a separate chapter and have a few pharmaceutical examples. Early chapters cover processes in the oil refinery, production of light alkenes, synthesis gas as well as bulk chemicals, and synthetic fuels derived from synthesis gas. Later chapters are strong on biotechnology, covering processes for the conversion of biomass as well as the application of biotechnology in various industries (e.g., waste treatment). The book is also strong on the use of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis in industrial processes. The book concludes with chapters on Process Intensification and Process Development. In all chapters, there is an emphasis on process safety, which is excellent since the work is aimed at students as well as industry professionals. In conclusion, this excellent textbook is highly recommended to those readers wishing to have up-to-date knowledge of the chemical industry and its processes. Organic chemists, in particular, will learn the chemical engineer’s approach to process design and process development and will appreciate the differences and hopefully understand how the methods used for bulk chemicals can be used for more complex molecules.
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Trevor Laird, Editor AUTHOR INFORMATION
Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
Published: August 15, 2014 © 2014 American Chemical Society
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dx.doi.org/10.1021/op500256y | Org. Process Res. Dev. 2014, 18, 1153−1153
