Customer Reviews

Petrochemicals in Nontechnical Language

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been working in the petrochemical industry as a financial advisor for 15 years. I often have to interact with chemical engineers in various aspects of my profession. This book has provided me a clear understanding of the complex petrochemical industry and its various processes.

When chemical engineers use terms,such as,sovent extraction, extrative distillation,adsorption,dehydrogenation,hydroformylation and the like,I am not only able to understand what is being said but I have often been able to respond effectively by asking pertinent questions in an area in which I am not an expert.

In order to wade smoothly through the book it is essential for the non-technical person to read and re-read the first chapter which provides all of the chemistry that you will need for the rest of the book. Even this first chapter has been written to make anyone understand the required chemistry.

Each of the subsequent chapters is devoted to different petrochemicals and lucidly explains the chemistry, the manufacturing processes,the uses of the chemicals being discussed, the handling of the chemical,etc.
Simplified diagrams of the manufacturing plant and various processes have helped me to quickly grasp the required essentials.

The chapters have been written in an easy to understand language with a touch of humor.

I would advise all technical and non-technical persons working for firms in the pertochemical industry to buy this book and keep it acessable at all times.

If you want to understand the oil refining and petrochemical industry, this is it. Although these books focus on technology, by reading them, you will gain valuable insight into how the industry works and how to market your products more effectively to these companies.

As someonce in the petrochemicals industry, I wanted to buy a comprehensive reference book so to start understanding the relations between feed stocks & prices and to look at the market in a wider perspective, etc.

There are rather limited number of available reference books in this topic, so I bought this book automatically. But, I almost become addicted to this book, reviewing it 10 mins everyday and still learn something new everday.

The book starts with a general overlook of the organic chemicals with reference to atomic structure & periodic table. Then, all the monomers, important hydrocarbons are explained in detail along with production methods and application areas.

This book is very good if you are looking for a layman's introduction to petrochemicals. Whether you're just curious, sell to petrochem companies, or are new to the business, this book will give you a great knowledge jump start.

I work in an engineering office where we deal with the petro-chemical industry.

We hand this book to new hires so that they have a more clear understanding what is going on in some facilities.

Some 'get it', other's don't. I agree that the first few chapters are the key.

For the most part, we found the book very useful.

I have a BA degree in International Studies and an MBA in Finance. I have been in market and competitor analysis with energy consulting firms and operating companies for 28 years.

This book helped me get there. It provides an understanding - and thusly enough familiarity to be conversant - with the basics of the petrochemical industry. This book will not make you a Chemical Engineer; the title alone should make that clear. It will give you an overview and conversancy with the primary petrochemical groups (olefins and aromatics) and the wide array of derivative chemicals and plastics that are made from them. And this information allows the reader to fucntion around the periphery of this fascinating business.

Frankly speaking I did not finish this book.

It stipulates clearly from the very outset that it is giving all the basics ; i guess that even the basics are not easy for everyone...

We wrote the first edition of this book in 1983. Our intent was to create something to allow people outside the business to be able to talk knowledgeably and cogently to people inside petrochemicals. Little did we believe that the 3rd edition 20 years later would still be in big demand for the same basic purpose.

n a world of sequels, and cruising off the success of Petroleum Refining for the Non-technical Person, we thought people in and around the petrochemicals industry could use a simpler description of their products and processes. For a target audience, we had in mind not the engineers and chemists but the marketers, the transporters, the suppliers, the finance people, the support people, and those bungie managers that seem to be in perpetual motion through various jobs in the business. We do, however, see copies of our book on the shelves of many of our technical friends.