Page 14 - Chemical and process design handbook

FM_Speight_HB1 11/8/01 3:44 PM Page xiv

xiv PREFACE
of the various chemicals. Each item shows the chemical reaction by which
that particular chemical can be manufactured. Equations are kept simple
so that they can be understood by people in the many scientific and engineer-
ing disciplines involved in the chemical manufacturing industry. Indeed, it is
hoped that the chemistry is sufficiently simple that nontechnical readers can
understand the equations.
The design of equipment can often be simplified by the generalizations
arising from a like chemical-conversion arrangement rather than by con-
sidering each reaction as unique.
Extensive use of flowcharts is made as a means of illustrating the various
processes and to show the main reactors and the paths of the feedstocks
and products. However, no effort is made to include all of the valves and
ancillary equipment that might appear in a true industrial setting. Thus, the
flowcharts used here have been reduced to maximum simplicity and are
designed to show principles rather than details.
Although all chemical manufacturers should be familiar with the current
selling prices of the principal chemicals with which they are concerned,
providing price information is not a purpose of this book. Prices per unit
weight or volume are subject to immediate changes and can be very mis-
leading. For such information, the reader is urged to consult the many
sources that deal with the prices of chemical raw materials and products.
In the preparation of this work, the following sources have been used to
provide valuable information:

AIChE Journal (AIChE J.)
Canadian Journal of Chemistry
Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering
Chemical and Engineering News (Chem. Eng. News)
ChemTech
Chemical Week (Chem. Week)
Chemical Engineering Progress (Chem. Eng. Prog.)
Chemical Processing Handbook, J. J. McKetta (ed.), Marcel Dekker,
New York.
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th ed., It. E. Kirk, and D. F.
Othmer(eds.) Wiley-Interscience, New York
Chemical Engineers' Handbook, 7th ed., R. H. Perry and D. W. Green
(eds.), McGraw-Hill, New York.
Chemical Processing