Industrial Gas Handbook: Gas Separation and Purification

“The molecular chemistry of gases is well known and it seems nlikely that any new discoveries will cause Lavoisier, the father of odern chemistry, to turn in his grave. On the other hand, there are lways new applications to discover, or to develop some of which ill require phenomenal quantities of well known industrial gases.” o ends this book, written by a mechanical engineer based on his ifetime experience of 60 years—and I might add, well written. The book has 14 chapters covering virtually every aspect of the opic offering “. . . detailed discussions and up-to-date approaches o process cycles for cryogenic separation of air, adsorption proesses for front-end air purification, and related process control nstrumentation.” In addition, the book “. . . covers topics such as hronological development, industrial applications, air separation echnologies, noble gases, front end purification systems, insulaion, non-cryogenic separation, safety, cleaning for oxygen systems, conomics, and product liquefaction, storage and transportation.” One feature I appreciated was a historical review (at approriate points) of discoveries and developments of gases and their ses. This historical review starts with a discussion of the Eigheenth Century work of French physicist Guillaume Amontons in hermometry and mathematics which led to the supposition of bsolute zero. This discussion of the historical background of the opic being reviewed provides the reader with some understanding f the development of the field. The book has the following 14 chapters: