摘要:

REVIEWS 157 REVIEWS. VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS. By A. J. BERRY, M.A. 1915. Cambridge University Press. THIS little book of about 140 pages is essentially a classbook for students, and not a technical work for the industrial laboratory. The methods described are chosen to illustrate the useg of the most generally cmployed volumetric solutions-potassium permanganate and bichromate, iodine, sodium thiosulphate, silver nitrate, ammonium thiocyanate, acid and alkali-each of these forming the subject of a separate chapter.A few special methods, not readily classified, are dealt with in a further chapter ; and there are others in which the application of volumetric methods to the analysis of mixtures is illustrated, and concrete examples are worked out. Thus, although a, fair number of methods in common use are described, and in more theoretical detail than is usual in technical works, only a selection of processes is given, and by no means a complete list of methods in general use, I n some cases much detail is given of processes of little practical value, and, on the other hand, many well-known and widely used methods are not mentioned.A case in point occurs on p.16, where it is stated that nitric acid is inadmissible for volumetric work with permanganate, although in the analysis of steel one of the most accurate methods of estimating manganese (not described in this book) depends upon its oxidation by sodium bismuthate in nitric acid solution, and after excess of ferrous sulphate has been added the surplus is titrated by means of standard potassium permanganate.Again, on p. 21, the reduction of iron by means of H,S or SO,, previous to titration, is described, though such methods are of no practical value. The use of palladium hydrogen as a reducing agent is not mentioned. The standardisation of acids by means of metallic sodium, as described on p. 70, will not appeal to the practical analyst when so many methods of greater simplicity and accuracy are available.Price 6s. 6d. net. The descriptions, as a rule, are clear and to the point.158 REVIEWS Calibration of apparatus and the proper method of using measuring vessels are only touched upon very briefly. A short chapter is devoted to the theory of indicators. An abridged table of atomic weights, a short table of formula values, a hardness table, tables showing the relationship between specific gravity and percentage com- position of hydrochloric acid and caustic soda solutions, and short tables of logarithms and anti-logarithms complete the work.A student who works conscientiously through this book should obtain a good knowledge of the principles of the subject. L. ARCHBUTT. WATER PURIFICATION PLANTS AND THEIR OPERATION.By MILTON F. STEIN, Assistant Engineer, Cleveland Filtration Plant. Kew York : John Wiley and Sons (Inc.). London : Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1915. Pp. viii+ 258. This book gives a very comprehensive account of modern methods of water purification as practised in America. The preface states that the book has been written for the non-technical operator and for the qualified chemist on first taking charge.This being so, the inclusion of chapters on chemical and bacteriological tests, with detailed directions for preparing standard solutions and culture media, seems unnecessary. Such important work should not be put into the hands of a non-technical man, as any works not possessing its own chemist should have a consultant t o whom the work can be sent.On the other hand, for the trained chemist and bacteriologist such information is superfluous, as it will be already in his possession. Moreover, some of the directions given seem rather peculiar, as in preparing a standard solution of sodium carbonate, when dissolving the weighed amount in a small quantity of water in a beaker, “ n o stirring rod can be introduced to aid solution,” and presumably also no rod can be used in transferring the liquid from the beaker to the graduated flask.The other chapters in the book are on the impurities present in water (in which the statement occurs that fungi c c are parasitic and can only live on organic matter ”), types of purification plants, interpretation of tests, coagulation and sterilisation, softening, sedimentation basins, and general management.I t is interesting to note that in slow sand filtration the tendency is towards increased rates of filtration, and the most recent plant has been designed for double the usual rate. Sterilisation, too, of the slow sand filter effluent is becoming customary. I t appears that the process of coagulation and sedimentation, without filtration, which was never much in vogue, is gradually dying out, and mechanical filters are being added to the plant in most cases.The foregoing chapters are packed with information on all points, although the size of the book has necessitated some of the explanations being extremely concise, as the author recognises. The chapters, however, are admirably suited for the young chemist on first taking up duty at a water-works, and also are of interest to the general reader. Especially good and full is the account of coagulation, and in the explanations of this phenomenon and of filtration it is pleasing to note that the importance of colloids and of adsorption has been fully recognised. No expense has been spared in publication, many plans, sketches, photographs, and charts being included in the pages. Price 10s. 6d. net. The index is rather amateurish. J. H. JOHNSTON.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN9164100157

出版商:RSC    

年代:1916

数据来源: RSC