This authoritative text has been re-written and expanded to include additional chapters on methyl tertiary butyl ether and higher alcohols. Read it cover to cover,chapter by chapter as the subject comes up in your business, use it as an encyclopedia, or as a primer on petrochemical economics. Packed with diagrams and tables, it is the only source you will need to get a clear understanding of this complex topic. Each chapter includes exercises and 'in a nutshell' chapter reviews. Contents: What you need to know about organic chemistry Benzene Toluene and the xylenes Cyclohexane Olefins plants, ethylene, and propylene The hydrocarbon family Cumene and phenol Ethylbenzene and styrene Ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride Propylene oxide and propylene glycol Methanol and synthesis gas Other alcohols Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde Ketones Acids Acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, and acrylates Maleic anhydride Alpha olefins Nature of polymers Thermoplastics Resins and fibers.
De-mystifying an overly-complicated industryIn 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.
We have re-written most parts several times to assure we didn't fall into our own jargon-traps, and we have tried to use a little humor wherever we can to liven up what could otherwise be a deadly subject.