Customer Reviews

Handbook of Chemical Engineering Calculations

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I bought this book in 2000 because I was going back into consulting and needed to augment my quick-reference books. Contractors are paid by the hour! This book helped me solved exactly one problem. I did not write an editorial then because I hoped I would find out that I was wrong in my initial assessment. Everything else I could solve using various chemical engineering PE preparation material. This is stuff I either collected and condensed or got from other text. If you want a better choice refer to Randall Robinson's "Chemical Engineering Reference Manual." My main complaint about this book, besides that it digs deeper ruts in a well-worn trail is that the explanations are missing steps. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Post Script
Other choices for the consulting chemical engineer include: Hicks, "Handbook of Engineering Calculations;" Coulson and Richardson's "Chemical Engineering Design, vol. 6;" Ludwig's series "Applied Process Design for Chemical and Petrochemical Plants," Stanley Walas's "Chemical Process Equipment, Selection and Design," and, Schweitzer's "Handbook of Separation Techniques for Chemical Engineers." Schweitzer has gotten quite expensive at $300 but I have an earlier edition and I doubt if it has been upgraded much. The Ludwig series is very expensive and not commendable to quick calculations. Coulson is useful for its short comparisons of unit operation methods while Hicks is good for everyday calculations. Walas is a good reference but its detail falls somewhat short, between Hicks and Ludwig. There are other books that may be useful but you will probably find, as I have, that it is a hit and miss proposition.

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The Redlich-Kwong equation given specific for pressure given in this text is in error. It should be:

P=(RT/(V-b))-(a/((Tr^.5)*V*(V+b)))

The procedure given for calculating specific volume is accurate as far as I know and I've been told that it is. The original equation of state is not stated correctly though which would affect a simple calculation for pressure such as in a pressure vessel given temperature and density of enclosed gas.