This new text deals with the theoretical analysis of idealized reactors. Essentially, the author says: if the reaction rate is a given function of concentration and temperature, and if the reactor behaves as one of four theoretical models (stirred tank, tubular, batch, adiabatic), how does the reactor perform? How should one optimize the design and control the operation? The models, hopefully, include all the essential features of industrial reactors, but wenot overloaded with so much detail that analysis and design become impossible. Thus, the emphasis is on fundamental reactor principles, and the salient features of idealized reactors. Our present knowledge of reaction kinetics and industrial reactors is very crude, and we are a long way from being able to write down accurate and reproducible mathematical models. Many questions arise. One may he concerned whether a model is a good description-r a mere caricatureof sn industrial reactor. How may he design a paddle wheel or baffle to better approximate the assumption of perfect mixing? What should he do when his reactor does not fit any of the four idealized models? These problems are not treated in this book, for at the present time they are not czppsble of supporting much intellectual discipline. A fluidized bed reactor, which does not resemble one of the four models, is not treated here. Before proceeding to the main reactor discussion, the author gives us six chapters (somewhat less than half of the book), which comprise an excellent summary of what every student of reactors should know. These deal with stoichiometry, thermostatics. reaction rates. interration
of the reactors, such as the existence of multiple steady state solutions, instability and hysteresis, position of the optimum as boundary between the possible and the impossible. The author does not belabor any subject to reveal every fine point, but a good deal of detail is given. Three years ago, he announced the principle of "lor's ears"-that basic ideas should be introduced in their most elementary form, and then gone over again to build on the understanding that has been gained. With some exceptions, the author adheres to his own principle. Professor Aris ha4 a very high opinion of the readers' capabilities in handling mathematics and the English language. The reader may find a good dictionary useful, for his English vocabulary as well as his mathematical knowledge may well be taxed. We' salute the seniors in the University of Minnesota who have been exposed to so much, and hope that they will not find most graduate schools a rather dull anticlimax. This outstanding book, more advanced and detailed than the one by Denbigh, is highly recommended as a textbook for seniors and graduate students, as well as for engineers who are not afraid to learn and use mathematics-the indispensable tool of modem reactor engineering. J n m s WEI Socony Mobil Oil Company, Znc. Princeton, New Jersey
Comparative Inorganic Chemistry
sions are rather brief, the level of penetration and wealth of information are considerable. The author presents a combination of erudit,ion and many exceedingly helpful asides, thus explaining the heart of several complicated concepts by using verbal descriptions and diagrams. Many "portraits" are given to help the reader grasp how equilibrium and kinetics depend on concent,rations and temperature. The many exercises contribute mightily to the scope of the work, by further explaining many important ideas. Some of the exercises represent a direct application of ideas just explained; some lead the reader imperceptibly to very deep areas with little discomfort; others will tax an expert. It would have been help ful to the student if Professor Aris had designated the degree of difficulty of each problem, and made available the solutions. The main part of the book is then concerned with the application of the fundamental principles to the four idealized reactors. Having done so much pioneering work in reactors, the author can speak with authority. The material covered here is more complete than in any other texte x c e ~ for t mixine and residence time diss valuable summary of many resertrch results from the Minnesots school. One will see both the application of principles and a delineation of the salient features
54
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Journal of Chemical Education
B. J. Moody. American Elsevier Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1965. vii 430 pp. Figs. and tables. 19.5 X 25 em. $66.50.
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This is a book which is best suited for instruction in the fifth or sixth forms of British secondary schools. It is also wellsuited for an advanced general chemistry course a t the Amerioan high school level, but, in this reviewer's judgment, is pmhably no longer suited for general chemistry instruction a t the college level in the United States, except in courses far those students who have not had sny high school ahemistry. It is not suited for a terminal course in chemistry because of the omission of many important area4 of chemistry (e.g., organic chemistry). The order of chapters is similar to that used in introductory college chemistry texts which can now he regarded as "traditional," in the sense that the first half of the book is devoted to a. discussion of some major chemical principles and the remainder to the descriptive chemistry of the elements, according to periodic groups. The book is well-written and those topics which are mentioned are in the main up-to-date and well illustrated. The book is somewhat wider in page size than most texts used in American universities, and it is printed with two columns per page, which makes for good readability. However, the book does not include significant mention of thermochemistry, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and
equilibrium. Further, there is little Ciscussion of chemical cdculations and there are no illustrative problems or exercisesall this making it unsuitable, in this reviewer's judgment, as a general chemistry text at the college level today. The print, page siee, and type face are excellent. The author, of course, uses English names and spellings (e.g., aluminium, sulphur), hut these should cause little confusion for students.
STANLEYKIRSCHNER Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan
Double-Layer and Electrode Kinetics
Paul Delahay, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Interscience Puhlishers (a division of John Wiley and Sons, Inc.), New York, 1965. xi 319 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 om. $14.50.
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The structure of the electrical double layer and the frequently very great effect it exerts on electrode reaction rates is s much-studied topic in recent electrochemioal research. Professor Delahay has been a leading figure in this research and has manseed in this monoma~hto s u o ~ l v that will require more work. The hook is divided into two parts. The first half treats the thermodyna,mics of an ideal polarized electrode and the structure of the double layer with and without specific adsorption. The second half of the book deals with electrode reaction kinetics in the presence of the double layer. The topics treated include simple electrode kinetics without specific dsorption, multi-step electrode reactions, and the correlation between electrode kineties and double-layer structure with and without reactant andfor ~ r o d u cadsomtion. t
structure is summarized in considerable detail. The coverage of the extensive Russian work in this area is also very complete with some references a4 recent as 1964. To readers familiar with Professor Delahay's earlier book, "New Instrumental Methods in Electrochemistry," it is descriptive to say that this book is written in the same distinctive Delahay style. This means that the reading is not essy, paper and pencil are often called for (at least for this reader), but the rewards of a thoughtful reading can be very great. The sections of the book dealing with platinum electrodes me no less complete, but noticeably less critical in their treatment than the sections on mercury electrodes. This is certainly due in pert to the greater difficulty in making sense out of much of the published work involving platinum electrodes. Nevertheless, it would have been very valuable for workers in this field to have seen more of Delahay's critical reaction to their work. Very often in this book a problem is outlined, the relevant work is described, and its relstion to the double layer is examined, if
