BOOK REVIEWS Chemicml Reactor Theory
K . G . Denbigh, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. University Press, Cambridge, England, 184 pp. Figs. and tables. 1965. xii 14.5 X 22 cm. $6.50.
+
The field of chemical reaction engineering has seen much formalisation in the last few vears. Recent books such as those hv
range of practical engineering experience. I n this context, "Chemical Reactor Theory" is a throw-back to the late forties and early fifties when there was very little in the way of a. systematic treatment of reactor design. The first three chapters, whirh introduce the basic idealized reactors, are not concise clear statements of theory and experience. Instead many topics and concepts are briefly mentioned which are not always relevant to the subject a t hand. Too often, the author expresses physical relationships with words and never sets down a formulation with precise quantitative mathematical erpressions. This lark of formalization leave.; too much interpretation to the reader. The final three chapters have merit in the topics covered hut again the treatment of the problems is not Kenerdized. Professor IDenhigh writes in the prefa r e that "This hook. . . has been written mainly with the student requirements in mind. . " This reviewer's opinion is that the book would not be a satisfactory text. Important reasons for this are: The continusl citing of the authors' names along with almost every reference and having much of the technical matter in foot,notes-me feels he is reading a. Who's Who with technical footnotes rather than a textbook. Problems are limited in number and in scope, and usually not of t,he type that help the student understand the important points of the suhject. For example, problems 1 and 2 of Chapter Two happen t o represent. two special cases of the same performance equation. This is nowhere indicrtbed; in fact., the exmession " eiven in ~ r o h l e m2 is restricted to pure reactant, and this again is not mentioned. In the same chapter his treatment of dispersion in laminar flow follows the early Bosworth treatment but completely ignore$ G. I. Taylor's classied work in this area and the consequences of it. The last three chapters on reactor choice, optimization, and thermal characteristics draw heavily on the aubhor's wartime experiences which are unique and made a great contribution hut a comprehensive disrussion of such things as residence time distrihution are missing. As a whole, the book will not make a good text and provides a t best a short and incomplete review of the field.
..
HERBERTWEINSTEIN lllinois Inslilule qf Technology Chicago
A354
/
Journal o f Chemical Education
Optical Pumping:
A n Introduction
R. A. Renheim, Pennsylvania State University, University Park. W. A. Benjamin, Ine., New York, 1965. Frontiers in Chemistry serie?. ix 272 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 23 em. Clothhound, $9; paperbound, $4.95.
+
When one considers that optical pumping has been around for about fifteen vears, it is somewhat surprising that this is ihe first and only hook which treats the subject exclusively. Being a Benjamin monograph, the book does not pretend to be a tmlv de force; it is intended for the researcher who wants an introduction to this relatively new field of double-resonance atomic spectroscopy called "optical pumping." The first part of the hook consists of fourteen hrief chapters, all very readable if for the reason that difficult material is generally avoided. Throughout this section the treatment is held to an introdurtory level and oriented toward the physical chemist. While this survey may he useful, the 200-page appendix of reprints and bibliography probably will he more valuable to most readers. The particular selection of articles is good. In contrast to the elementary text, these articls are specific and advanced. This lends halance and depth to the hook, hut the lack of reference to any introductory articles is unfortunate. Hence in large measure, Dr. Bernheim's book represents s, valuable tlbstracting and reprint duplication service for partisans of optical pumping.
given in the book should be helpful to freshmen science students having some familiarity with analytic geometry and trigonometry. "Mathematics for Introductory Science Coorses" is not a substitute for a formal course in calculus and vectors; however, it should aid both students and imtructom of some beginning ncience courses by permitting the introduction of certain topics a t a n earlier date t,han would otherwise he feasible
Norman
Das Lurtige Atom
FriLz Wolf. 3rd ed. Vulkan-Verlag Dr. W. Classen, Essen, Germany, 1965. 218 pp. Drswings. 11 X 18 cm. 14 DM(ahout $3.50).
There is now available a tremendous literature dealing with the atom and related topics. Most of this is intended for professional and educational purposes and hence is presented in serious language. The volume under review takes a nniformly lighthearted approach, hut though humorous is never flippant. The author is a t home with the subject matter and though nonconventional, is accurate with respect to such matters as names, historical development, theories, etc. The many clever sketches scattered throughout the text make the hook still more enjoyable. The entire title (in tramlation) reads: J. R. BR.~NDENBERGER"The Merry Atom-How man brought College qf Wooster i t forth, how i t moved, and how man U'ooster. Ohio smashed i t into frsgments." The unique feature of this volume is that the whole text including the Table of Contents is in rhymed couplets (sa,bh, cc, etc.). Theauthor is to hecongratulated Mathematics for Introductory Science a n the successful completion of this treCourses: Calrvlvr and Vectors mendous feat. Our readers who have a. command of German will thoroughly enDaniel A . Greenberg, Columbia Unijoy this versified presentation of perhaps versity. W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New the most important chapter of chemistry 214 pp. Figs. and York, 1965. xiv and physics. tables. 15 X 22 cm. Clothhound, $5; RALPHE. OESPER paperbound, $2.45. University of Cineinnoti This book consists of three sections: Cincinnati, Ohio a brief review of high school mathematics, an introduction to the calculus, and a short treatment of vectors. The author Bioenergetics has written the book "to fill the mathematical requirements of first year Albert L . Lehninger, Johns Hopkins courses in the physical and hiologicd University, Baltimore. W. A. Benjsr sciences." His approach t o mathematical min, Inc., New Yark, 1965. xv 258 concepts is intuitive and pictorial rather pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 X 22 than rigorous. cm. Clothhound, $6; paperbound, Psrt I, Review of Elementary Msthe$2.95. matie?. is lareelv a collection of definitions.
+
+
..
"
formulas, and graphs of functions; however, it may serve a8 a useful reference for students just beginning their study of calculus. Part 111,Vectors, is too sketchy to provide the student with much more than a set of rules for manipulating vectors in simple applications. The book's value attaches to the generally clear, intuitive treatment of the calculus given in Psrt 11. Although the material presented can be gleaned from any of a number of textbooks on analysis and calculus, the abbreviated exposition
This is a disappointing hook. The long experience and high achievements of the author in biochemical research would seem to guarantee the excellence of his writings, hut in this hook, which covers the thermodynamics and mechanisms of energy production and utilnation, as well as protein hiosynthesis and information theory, it is evident that he has gone into topics in which he is not a t home. The book is designed, according to the
(Cmlinued on page A368)
