Publisher's Synopsis
This text, based on undergraduate and postgraduate courses taught at UMIST for many years, addresses the three basic building block petrochemical processes, ie cracking, catalytic reforming and steam reforming. It draws a picture of the relationship between the petrochemical industry and the oil industry and of the overall technological structure of the petrochemical industry. Process chemistry is discussed in modern mechanistic terms and emphasis is laid on the interactions between chemistry, technology and economics throughout. Data on annual capacities or levels of production are given.;Each chapter ends with problems, a guide to further reading and suggestions for further sources of information on petrochemicals to help the student enhance his or her understanding of the subject.
