James G. Speight

A Review of: “The Exergy Method: Technical and Ecological Applications”: J. Szargut, WIT Press, Billerica, MA, 164 pages (including Index), ISBN No. 1-85312-753-1

This book presents the fundamental principles of exergy analysis and discusses new achievements in the field over the last 15 years. The exergy method makes it possible to detect and quantify the possibilities of improving thermal and chemical processes and systems. The introduction of the concept thermo-ecological cost (cumulative consumption of nonrenewable natural exergy resources) generated large application possibilities of exergy in ecology. One of the most important issues is the economy of non-renewable natural exergy. Several important new problems are highlighted which have previously only been discussed in scientific journals. The contents of the book include chapters relating to nomenclature, exergy balance and exergy losses, calculation of exergy, cumulative exergy consumption and partial exergy losses, practical rules for improving thermodynamic imperfection, depletion of nonrenewable natural resources, thermo-ecological cost, economic applications of exergy, application of exergy for determining the pro-ecological tax, appendix, solutions of exercises, and a comprehensive reference section. The Exergy Method: Technical and Ecological Applications is appropriate for graduate students as well as scientists and engineers working in the field of energy and ecological management.

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The primary focus of this book is to present the basic physics of reservoir engineering using the simplest and most straightforward of mathematical techniques. Chapter 1 describes the theory and practice of well testing and pressure analysis techniques, which is probably one of the most important subjects in reservoir engineering. Chapter 2 discusses various water-influx models along with detailed descriptions of the computational steps involved in applying these models. Chapter 3 presents the mathematical treatment of unconventional gas reservoirs that include abnormally pressured reservoirs, coal bed methane, tight gas, gas hydrates, and shallow gas reservoirs. Chapter 4 covers the basic principle oil recovery mechanisms and the various forms of the material balance equation. Chapter 5 focuses on illustrating the practical application of predicting the oil reservoir performance under different scenarios of driving mechanisms. Fundamentals of oil field economics are discussed in Chapter 6. The book is arranged so that it can be used as a textbook for senior and graduate students or as a reference book for practicing engineers. This is a useful book that is easy to read and a welcome addition to the literature on this subject.

A Review of: “Advanced Reservoir Engineering”

The primary focus of this book is to present the basic physics of reservoir engineering using the simplest and most straightforward of mathematical techniques. Chapter 1 describes the theory and practice of well testing and pressure analysis techniques, which is probably one of the most important subjects in reservoir engineering. Chapter 2 discusses various water-influx models along with detailed descriptions of the computational steps involved in applying these models. Chapter 3 presents the mathematical treatment of unconventional gas reservoirs that include abnormally pressured reservoirs, coal bed methane, tight gas, gas hydrates, and shallow gas reservoirs. Chapter 4 covers the basic principle oil recovery mechanisms and the various forms of the material balance equation. Chapter 5 focuses on illustrating the practical application of predicting the oil reservoir performance under different scenarios of driving mechanisms. Fundamentals of oil field economics are discussed in Chapter 6. The book is arranged so that it can be used as a textbook for senior and graduate students or as a reference book for practicing engineers. This is a useful book that is easy to read and a welcome addition to the literature on this subject.

A Review of: “Carbocation Chemistry”

The book gives a detailed practical approach to improve the energy efficiency in petroleum processing and deals with the role of management and refinery operators in achieving the best technological parameters, the most rational utilization of energy, as well as the greatest possible economic success. The book contains chapters related to: Technological and Energy Characteristics of the Chemical Process Industry, Techno-Economic Aspects of Efficiency and Effectiveness of an Oil Refinery, Instruments for Determining Energy and Processing Efficiency of an Oil Refinery, Blending of Semi-Products into Finished Products and Determining Fished Product Cost Prices, and Management in the Function of Increasing Energy and Processing Efficiency and Effectiveness. This book provides an interesting and apparent introspective look at the efficiency of refineries and how this efficiency can be adapted to future needs. It provides interesting and thought-provoking reading.

A Review of: “Oil Refineries in the 21st Century: Energy Efficient, Cost Effective, Environmentally Benign”

The book gives a detailed practical approach to improve the energy efficiency in petroleum processing and deals with the role of management and refinery operators in achieving the best technological parameters, the most rational utilization of energy, as well as the greatest possible economic success. The book contains chapters related to: Technological and Energy Characteristics of the Chemical Process Industry, Techno-Economic Aspects of Efficiency and Effectiveness of an Oil Refinery, Instruments for Determining Energy and Processing Efficiency of an Oil Refinery, Blending of Semi-Products into Finished Products and Determining Fished Product Cost Prices, and Management in the Function of Increasing Energy and Processing Efficiency and Effectiveness. This book provides an interesting and apparent introspective look at the efficiency of refineries and how this efficiency can be adapted to future needs. It provides interesting and thought-provoking reading.