Prof. Dr. Jürgen Gmehling Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg,
Dr.-Ing. Bärbel Kolbe ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH, Dortmund, Germany
Dr.-Ing. Michael Kleiber ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH, Bad Soden, Germany
Dr. Jürgen Rarey Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg, Germany
"The authors of this excellent book on chemical thermodynamics have achieved something rare taking one of the dreariest theoretical sciences and making
it accessible.
This book is a treasure trove of fundamental thermodynamic knowledge with the guidance necessary to apply the theory to practical applications.
The first eight chapters deal primarily with thermodynamic concepts, such as pure component behaviour (Chapter 1). properties of mixtures (Chapter 2), phase equilibria and solid state equilibria (Chapters 4 and 8). In each of these chapters the authors manage to breakdown thermodynamics into its essential building blocks and guide the reader through the increasing complexity. This is a good refresher for those who studied thermodynamics as a student or a good introduction to those being exposed to thermodynamics for the first time.
However, be warned. This is not the basics of thermodynamics: the reader quickly gets amongst the mathematics - but it is present in a direct and concise manner that anyone familiar with undergraduate mathematics will be able to comprehend.
Though the title has 'for process simulations, most of the thermodynamic discussion is on the fundamental Level, with only the later parts of each chapter progressing into simulation models. Examples are equations of state for fluid system phase equilibria (Chapter-1) and the NRTL model in electrolyte solutions (Chapter 7). This distinction makes Chemical thermodynamics for process simulations a great general reference
source.
The worked examples hit the Goldilocks zone for problems - not too easy, not too hard - and this reviewer found them to successfully illustrate the various topics.
The second half of the book focuses more on the applied side » applying thermodynamic theory to membrane processes (Chapter 9) and polymers (Chapter 10), as well as to reactions and equilibriums (Chapter 12). Here, the reader can become confused if not well versed in the topics of interest, since some prior knowledge is assumed.
The final chapter is not really a chapter, but rather an invitation for readers to download thermodynamic and process examples from the internet to be applied in software programs such as Mathcad. This is a great example of broadening the education value through technology, and should be copied bymore authors.
If you are interested in detailed and accessible thermodynamics, start and finish with this book."
- Chemistry in Australia, September 2012