There have been many volumes written that claim to be the most «comprehensive» compendium or handbook on chemical data. These wieldy volumes are often too big and extraneous to be useful to the practicing engineer. This new volume aims to be the most useful «go to» volume for the working engineer, scientist, or chemist who needs quick answers to daily questions about materials or chemicals and doesn't want to go on long searches through voluminous tomes or lengthy internet searches. Covering only the most commonly used chemicals in the most important processes in industry, A Guide to Safe Material and Chemical Handling includes industrial chemicals, such as gases, fuels, and water, which are not incorporated in most «comprehensive» books on materials and chemical properties. Safety plans and procedures that can be implemented by any engineer or plant manager by following the easy, step-by-step instructions in the book are also provided.
The Deepwater Horizon catastrophe is shaping up to be the largest offshore oil spill in history and an ecological nightmare of epic proportions. Emergency Response Management of Offshore Oil Spills is intended to aid in the response of this tragic disaster by providing, in one volume, information to rapidly orient response workers. It outlines the toxic nature of crude oil, covering properties of crude oil, chemical composition, toxicity to humans and marine life, and investigates the impact of oil spills from historical case studies. The current arsenals available to address oil spills, such as dispersants, absorbing booms, skinning, and other methods are also discussed. Technologies which are rapidly being developed to address the Gulf Oil Spill are considered, alongside with extensive information on chemical protective clothing, air monitoring, respiratory protection, management of waste, and much more. The book concludes with a chapter discussing responsible care and takes a critical look at the reasons why the Deepwater Horizon Rig catastrophe happened and the failure of British Petroleum to act in a responsible manner.