The fundamentals of process integration for better economics in the chemical process industry are explained in this book. The author has done a very good job in providing detailed examples using the popular methodologies of Pinch Analysis and Mathematical Programming. Highly recommended as a text for students and as a handbook for practicing engineers.

The goal of targeting (energy, area, unit, cost, etc.) is to address optimum conceptual design prior to actual design. This book provides an excelent introduction for targeting heat exchanger network design and synthesis. This book also covers extended targeting methodologies to address distillation column, CHP, furnace, batch-process, etc. A very good book for students and industry people.

Book Review - Rheology of Filled Polymer Systems Aroon V. Shenoy

Kluwer Academic Publishers ISBN 0-412-83100-7

As a researcher in the area of particulate-filled composites I am continually looking for good books on this subject. Such books are hard to find, possibly because the topic is so multi-disciplinary that few authors manage to bring together the knowledge from polymer science (processing, stability, mechanical properties), surface science (dispersion, wetting, surface-treatment) and rheology (compounding and processing).

One area where it is especially difficult to find good information is that of filled polymer rheology. This topic is vital to understanding the behaviour of a filled polymer melt. For example, extruder throughput and mould filling during injection moulding are critical factors that must be understood when formulating a good particulate-filled polymer composite. I have found it hard to understand most texts on filled polymer rheology and therefore I was relieved when I read this book. The author must be congratulated on having presented such a complex field in a focussed and interesting way. All aspects of rheological measurement techniques are covered. First of all is an introduction to the rheological behaviour of un-filled polymers. Basic rheological concepts are presented followed by a comparison of the different measurement techniques. Steady shear and unsteady shear are both treated in detail where the author highlights the trends such as the influence of particle size, shape, distribution, concentration and surface treatment. Another chapter discusses the different types of polymer processing equipment and their relative merits and drawbacks for preparing polymer composites.

One especially intriguing section shows that even MFI data, which is simple and inexpensive to obtain, can be used as a powerful tool for estimating the rheological response of a filled polymer melt. The author shows that just by knowing the MFI and the Tg of the polymer, it is possible to calculate an approximate rheological response of the filled polymer melt. This estimation has sufficient accuracy to be of use in predicting the flow behaviour of the filled polymer melt during processing. Thus, even the humble MFI technique is shown to be a powerful tool and I expect that Shenoy's Unification approach will prove useful for many people, including myself.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in filled polymers. It is clearly written by someone with an excellent grasp of the subject. The text is concise and easy to read whilst the content is well organized and interesting.

Dr. Chris DeArmitt (CChem MRSC), Senior Project Manager, Electrolux Core Technology & Innovation, Stockholm, Sweden.

The book clearly brings out how to use the MRP II principles for Maintenance Management. The second and third chapters are very important in which the authors have explained the process of creating the Bills of Maintenance and the Master maintenance schedule with examples. I feel the creation of Master Maintenance Schedule as explained in the book is very logical and practical.

The design of Maintenance management systems have been well thought about and well written. The concepts of process modelling and entity relationships have been explained sufficiently and clearly, and one can easily grasp the concepts in one read. The "Thumb rules" for determining the number of tables, given the relationships between entities (presented in the appendix) is quite helpful if one starts desigining the Maintenance Management system. In some places, the authors have gone "over board" by modelling the behaviour using some statistical distributions. However I would say, the authors have made a beginning towards a proactive approach to integrated maintenance management.

The book clearly brings out how to use the MRP II principles for Maintenance Management. The second and third chapters are very important in which the authors have explained the process of creating the Bills of Maintenance and the Master maintenance schedule with examples. I feel the creation of Master Maintenance Schedule as explained in the book is very logical and practical.

The design of Maintenance management systems have been well thought about and well written. The concepts of process modelling and entity relationships have been explained sufficiently and clearly, and one can easily grasp the concepts in one read. The "Thumb rules" for determining the number of tables, given the relationships between entities (presented in the appendix) is quite helpful if one starts desigining the Maintenance Management system. In some places, the authors have gone "over board" by modelling the behaviour using some statistical distributions. However I would say, the authors have made a beginning towards a proactive approach to integrated maintenance management.