LETTERS
Sir : I want to express my appreciation to I&EC and the I&EC Division of the ACS for the Summer Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics. Although at times the floor discussion lagged, it was particularly fruitful for informal discussions and I feel sure some good communication was made between the fundamental and the practical workers in the field of applied thermodynamics. I n chemical engineering, where the fruits of the theoretician’s labor on well characterized, simple systems are to be utilized by process people with messy, extremely complicated systems, it is important that the former be aware of the latter’s needs and the latter be aware of the former’s progress. Such symposia as this are essential because of our ever more rapidly changing understanding of ways to characterize the thermodynamic properties of pure substances and mixtures, and of ways to predict their behavior under conditions where data are not available. One thing recurred several times in the presentations by fundamental researchers and deserves to be emphasized. I t is not possible to predict accurately the properties of mixtures without some information to describe the interactions between pairs of different substances. Pure component parameters cannot be mixed to describe adequately excess thermodynamic properties needed for compressibilities, enthalpies, or vapor-liquid equilibria. Fortunately, only one relatively accessible temperature-independent parameter (usually expressed as the deviation in the geometric mean mixing rule for the characteristic energies) is necessary for each pair of substances which are different in size and struc16
ture. Using it, virtually all other binary properties can be calculated to an order of magnitude greater accuracy and no additional parameters are needed for mixtures containing three or more components. Hopefully the future will change these circumstances, but, for the present, increased accuracy for the properties of mixtures requires more than pure component properties. The realization of this is relatively recent, but all major fundamental workers now agree on this point. J. P. O’Connell University of Florida Gainesville, Fla.
Sir :
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The interesting “review” (?) of the Lee-Neville “Handbook of Epoxy Resins” appearing in the July issue of INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY has reached us. Although we have also published fictional work, this is the first of our serious efforts to evoke a strong response by a reviewer. I t is regrettable that his comments contain a number of errors which warrant correction. Rather than a mere 100 formulators of epoxy compounds as the reviewer states, there are, in fact, perhaps more than about 1500 such companies, exclusive of in-house and paint manufacturing compounders. Even if one knew where to cut off such a list, a treatise of this nature is under no obligation to function in the role of a trade directory. Photographs are an essential component of a volume of this sort and each author will, for that purpose, utilize those which best illustrate the detail of concern even though, as we have done, it may be necessary to produce many of his own after first soliciting appropriate contribu-
INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
tions from a large number of basic materials suppliers and principle product compounders. The reviewer seems to have been hard pressed for incisive derogatory criticism. His comment concerning the frontspiece in our 1957 and 1967 volumes implies very bad eyesight. The atom model in our 1967 volume is of our own construction. The name of our company is prominent on the title page of the volume. The inclusion of photographs of our company’s branded products-even though only three in number out of 150 total-is purely incidental and in accord with the above remark concerning photographs. Such criticism is petty and most unbecoming to the stature to which the reviewer professes. Of similar miniscule character is the criticism of the reference ordination and timeliness. The format for references at the end of each chapter has been commended by distinguished technologists as a substantial improvement in comparison with the traditional format. I n contrast, the references of Appendix 5-1 are reproduced exactly as originally listed by the original author, from whom we received generous permission to republish his product. The references of Appendix 21-1 were too few in number to be listed in any other manner than that which we selected. If the reviewer had ever undertaken to prepare a comprehensive summary of such a nature as our handbook, he would be aware of the facts of life regarding references, but apparently he has not and therefore lacks qualification to be critical in this aspect. He would have known that the time lapse between finalizing the author’s manuscript and the ultimate release by the
publisher prohibits inclusion of many of the most recent literature citations. With regard to the references in Chapter 1, since this chapter deals with historical aspects, it was felt that references subsequent to the year 1960 belonged in current technology rather than in history. Beyond this, it is each author’s prerogative to exclude references which are not deemed to contribute adequately to the specific topic of interest. All IR spectra previously released in the public press are properly credited. There are nine of these. The 93 other IR spectra in this volume are from private files and have not appeared previously in the public literature. As to curing mechanisms, Schecter’s 1956 contributions are magnificent. Any title changes attending the republication of Schecter’s figures are for the purpose of up-dating the presentation. The reviewer mentions that the user “may have to consult several references to secure answers to his questions.” Most thoughtful users will be grateful for this. A primary achievement of a reference volume is an adequate identification of primary sources of which a reader may not already be aware. One deplores a so-called review in which the reviewer fails to give “chapter and verse” support to derogatory criticism, in conformance with the timehonored traditional pattern. I n summary, the reviewer in this instance seems prone to pick at nits and unable to formulate a commendable critique. One would have hoped for a review by an able reviewer.
LIGNIN STRUCTURE AND REACTIONS ADVANCES IN CHEMISTRY SERIES NO. 59 Surveys the past 10 years’ research on lignin. In this period quinonemethides emerged as the most important reactive intermediate in lignin formation. The current presentation of lignin structure is oversimplified ; the main features of the structural concept are sharper than ever, and new fine details are added. Seventeen papers including a survey of lignin constitution by Karl Freudenberg, t o whom the book is dedicated. 267 pages with index cloth bound (1966) end Canada; plus 20 cents foreign and PUAS.
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Other book in ADVANCES I N CHEMISTRY SERIES on organic, polymer, and coating chemistry include:
No. 52 Elastomer Stereospecific Polymerization. Survey of catalysis by various systems of organometallics and research on kinetics and mechanisms of polymerization and on polymer structure and properties. 155 pages with index Cloth bound (1966) $5.50 No. 48 Plasticization and Plasticizer Processes. Seventeen papers survey recent studies on plasticizer action, properties, and production. Includes chapters on glass transition, plasticizer mobility, processes for phthalates and other plasticizers, and antiplasticizers. 200 pages with index Cloth bound (1965) $7.00 No. 34 Polymerization and Polycondensation Processes. An I&EC Division symposium with emphasis on unit processes. Twenty-one papers on addition polymerization, polycondensation reactions, commercial polymerization processes, and equipment design. 260 pages Paper bound (1962) $8.00
No.23 Metal-Organic Compounds. Of the 34 papers, three review organometallcs, metal alkoxides, and metal chelates; 31 others detail manufacture, properties, and uses of metalorganic compounds of 14 metals. 371 pages Cloth bound (1959) $5.75 No. 14 Nomenclature for Terpene Hydrocarbons. The system that has been accepted by the Nomenclature Committee of the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry and recommended as definitive by IUPAC. Profusely illustrated with figures, charts, and diagrams. 98 pages Paper bound (1955) $3.00 No. 9 Fire Retardant Paints. Theory of flame-proofing effectiveness and formulation, and testing of fire-retardant paints, aircraft coatings, and flame-resistant mastics. 91 pages Paper bound (1954) $2.50 Postpaid in U.S. and Canada. Plus 20 cents per book in PUAS and foreign.
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NO. 9
SEPTEMBER 1967
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