review

Distillation Troubleshooting
Henry Kister; Wiley-VCH; ISBN:10-0-471-46744-8; 752p; € 87.90
THIS is the third book on distillation by
the renowned Henry Kister. It is a highly
impressive piece of work, but readers may
be slightly disappointed considering the
universal acclamation given to his previous
two offerings, which concentrated on design
and operation respectively. The subject matter
builds upon his previous observations, but
in many ways this is the most ambitious
of the series, and has taken the longest
time in preparation. Despite the title,
there’s very little here about the process of
troubleshooting, the tools and methodologies
of which are given only passing mention.
Instead the focus is on the result of the
troubleshooting process, and with over 700
pages this book is the most comprehensive
survey and summary of tower-related problems
in existence. Many of these issues and
examples have been previously published,
but this collection is unique in summarising
them systematically, offering comprehensive
referencing and succinct lessons.
It might be thought that it should be
possible to take reliability for granted in such
a long established and universal technology,
but this is not the case. Kister points out
that the tower failure rate is on the rise and
accelerating, and that the lessons of history
are being overlooked. It might be argued that
many of these problems might have been
avoided in the first place by following the
guidelines of Kister’s two earlier books, but
this is to miss the point. Studies of actual
operating failures provide the most salutary
focus on issues that should be prioritised
above those of optimisation and cost
reduction.
The book is set out in two main
sections, each of which is organised into
29 diverse topic areas such as simulation,
coking, reboilers and control systems. The
first section is a series of some 220 case
studies, mostly presented as short stories
written in a uniformly concise, anecdotal
style, with good quality diagrams and the
occasional photograph. Many are drawn
directly from the author’s own experience.
It requires concentration to understand the
circumstances of some these incidents, and
they must be taken in small doses else they
become indigestible. Kister suggests them
as bedtime reading, and unless you come
across one with an uncomfortably familiar
ring to it, then the desired soporific effect
is likely to be induced. Despite this, these
case studies are full of practical wisdom, and
are well written for comprehension by the
average chemical engineer. Jargon and maths
are minimised, and abstruse concepts are
introduced only where absolutely necessary.
Kister concentrates on facts, explanations
and lessons rather than intellectual glory.
The mundane and the subtle are given equal
treatment. There are many valuable lessons
here for both designers and operators of
distillation columns, who should read these
stories in the hope that sufficient will be
absorbed to prevent a repetition on their
watch.
The second part of the book, comprising
one third of the total, is a tabulated
database with over 1200 problems culled
from literature searches. It is intended
to be your guide to researching (in the
original publication) any specific problem
that might be encountered or anticipated.
Categorising and summarising this huge range
of incidents must have been a Herculean
effort, but its usefulness would be enhanced
in an electronic format. A brief description
and referencing to the original source data
are provided. The numbering and cross-
referencing systems are comprehensive but
complex and unintuitive. If you are actually
using this book in an attempt to resolve
a distillation issue, this may be the most
valuable section, but the lack of context and
condensed prose make it particularly daunting
as a casual read. Kister has very wisely
avoided using this format for the entire book.
The source data itself is set out under 552
references, and the book is finished off with
an extraordinarily detailed index extending
to 44 pages, essential as a starting place
if you are looking for specific advice. As a
consolidated reference point, this book is not
just for solving problems but is recommended
to improve the awareness of all designers and
operators of distillation equipment.
Reviewed by Philip Marden, principal
process consultant, Foster Wheeler
Energy, Reading, UK

and functioning of MFCs and deliver a manual for ongoing research.

Recently published
Communicating Science
Pierre Laszlo; Springer Verlag; 214 pp; ISBN: 978-3-540-31919-1; £17.50
DO you have new and interesting – even outstanding – results
that you wish to be recognised by your scientific colleagues, or
understood by the public? Do you want to convey your ideas to policy
decision makers? Communicating Science is the book to consult.
Separate sections offer advice on reaching peers, the general public or
decision makers. Each of these main parts includes two subsections,
guidelines and genres, with entries arranged in alphabetical order.
This book will be useful to anyone having to convert scientific data
into an easily intelligible and interesting narrative.
Microbial Fuel Cells
Bruce E Logan; Wiley; 216pp; ISBN: 978-0-470-23948-3; £44.95 / €59.50
THIS book covers the theory, design, construction, and operation
of microbial fuel cells. Billed as the first book dedicated to MFCs,
Logan seeks to both introduce the theory underlying the development
Himself a pioneer in MFC research and development, the author
provides practical guidance for the effective design and operation of
MFCs based on his own firsthand experience.
Real Project Planning: Developing a Project
Delivery Strategy
Trish Melton; Elsevier; 368 pp; €43.95, $49.95. £29.99
AIMED at project managers in engineering and process industry
sectors as well as students at the Association for Project Management
and Project Management Institute at both MBA and Masters level,
this book covers all the bases of delivering a project delivery strategy.
Topics covered include business planning and how to incorporate a
business plan; set-up planning; control planning; and constructing
the project delivery plan. The book uses relevant real-life case studies
throughout to illustrate the concepts, such as a capital engineering
project, a strategic consultancy assignment, an office relocation
project, an organisational change programme and a change project
portfolio.

60 tce march 2008 www.tcetoday.com