Page 10 - Fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mass transfer

PREFACE

The book is intended for use by students at undergraduate and students and others. It can be used as a textbook and/or a
graduate levels, faculty in Chemical Engineering Depart- reference book.
ments across the world, working and consulting engineers In the market, there is no such book in these areas linking
in areas such as petroleum refineries, petrochemical, gas theory with broad practical aspects and to this effect it is
processing and fertilizer plants, design organizations, food original in nature with almost no competitors on the subject.
and pharmaceutical processing, environmental engineering, It avoids referring to several text and reference books, to get
and the like. The book is also useful to mechanical engi- information on specific topics/content.
neering students and faculty. The vast literature available in the form of articles in
The book is written with emphasis on practice with brief chemical engineering magazines, monographs, and manu-
theoretical concepts in the form of Questions and Answers, facturers literature has been used in its preparation along with
bridging the two areas of theory and practice with respect to the active interaction of the author with practicing world over
the core areas of chemical engineering. a period spanning nearly five decades.
The author considers that the question–answer approach To summarize, features include emphasis on practical
adopted stimulates interest in the subject matter and focuses aspects in the learning process for students and faculty and
attention to specific topics in a better and concise manner easeandconvenienceintheuseofthetheoreticalandpractical
than running mattergivenin normal text and reference books. aspectsofthesubjectinthepracticeofprofessionalengineers.
The approach was used by the author in the classroom for Question–answer approach focuses onindividual topics in
several years, spanning a period of over four decades. a more effective way than the normally used running matter
Feedback from faculty, students, alumni, and practicing in textbooks. Adds to learning process, creating better in-
engineers in several institutions/organizations appreciated terest among students, faculty, and others for whom time
this approach when the author used this approach during factor is important.
continuing education and training courses, besides classroom Involves the core areas of chemical engineering and
instruction. This prompted the author to embark upon writing fulfills the need for a single source, avoiding the requirement
this book. of using several books, articles, and other sources for the
The book is an attempt to bridge the gap between theory topics covered in the book.
and practice in a balanced manner, so that it will be easy for The core areas of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass
students and academics to get a grasp of practice and industry transfer, and membrane processes are covered in the book in a
personnel to understand theoretical concepts necessary to balanced way, avoiding making the book bulky and unwieldy
appreciate the genesis involved in practice. in its use.
At the teaching level, the book is suitable for different Most parts of the book are easily understandable by those
courses involving fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass who are not experts in the field. For example, it covers types
transfer, and membrane technology as well as design on pumps, valves, process equipment, membranes, and areas
courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The of their use, their merits, and drawbacks and selection in a
author considers it to be useful in design project work by simple way.

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