The definitive book for understanding the mysteries of the petrochemical industry. With chapters on all the base chemicals and derivatives, plus new ones covering the Fischer-Tropsch process, polyurethane, epoxy resins and more, this is broadest available look inside the industry.

Authors Don Burdick and Bill Leffler have completely rewritten this time-honored bestseller, now the definitive book for understanding the mysteries of the petrochemical industry.

With chapters on all the base chemicals and derivatives, plus seven new ones covering the Fischer-Tropsch process, polyurethane, epoxy resins and more, this is broadest available look inside the industry.

Still offering readers easy-to-understand diagrams, charts and tables, plus digestible chapter reviews - this classic delivers the information that every person in the industry needs.

About the Author

Donald L. Burdick earned his PhD from Kansas University and has been an educator, industrial researcher, petrochemicals marketer, and senior executive with Gulf, Chevron, BASF, and Haltermann Custom Processing, where he was vice-president of marketing. Since his retirement after more than 40 years in the industry, he has pursued writing, teaching, and consulting. Dr. Burdick has co-authored several scientific papers and has 12 patents credited to his name.

William L. Leffler received a BS from MIT and master’s and doctorate degrees in business administration from New York University. Following his career with Royal Dutch/Shell in the upstream, downstream, and petrochemicals business, he became a writer and consultant. He has authored multiple PennWell titles including the bestselling Petroleum Refining in Nontechnical Language, Petrochemicals in Nontechnical Language, and Deepwater Petroleum Exploration and Production: A Nontechnical Guide.

1. What you need to know about organic chemistry 2. Processes and equipment 3. Benzene 4. Toluene and the Xylenes 5. Olefin plants, ethylene, and prpylene 6. Cyclohexane 7. The C4 Hydrocarbon family 8. Cumene and phenol 9. Ethylbenzene and styrene 10. Ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride, and epichloraphdrin 11. Ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol 12. Propylene oxide and propylene glycol 13. Ethanolamines and polyols 14. Methanol and synthesis gas 15. Fisher-Tropsch process 16. Lots of other alcohols 17. MTBE 18. Formaldehyde and Acetaldehyde 19. The ketones: Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone 20. Acids 21. Maleic anhydride 22. Acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, and acrylates 23. Aniline and phosgene 24. Bisphenol A 25. Alpha olefins 26. Making polymers 27. Thermoplastics 28. MDI and TDI 29. Polyurethane 30. Epoxy resins and polycarbonates 31. Fibers and other resins