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product and isotope separation, l3pd/lllAg separation, use of manganese dioxide and zirconium silicophosphate as exchangers, 14C labelling of a-hydroxy acids, anion resins for uranium recovery, equilibria in ternary systems, and TBP absorption on macroreticular resins. Other aspects of ion exchange covered in the Proceedings were metal chloride complexes, scandium separation, parchment membranes impregnated with inorganic precipitates, iodide selective membranes, amino acid and peptide reaction catalysis by resins, solvent effects on metal sorption, analysis of sugars, ion exchange equilibria and radiotracers for kinetic studies. The section on electrodialysis contains work on several types of membrane and on metathesis (for KNO3), caustic soda demineralization, chlorine and cheese whey processes. The b o o k is hardbound with 326 pages and at 12.00 represents good value for money as a source of information. Available from CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, 364002, Gujarat, India.
M.J. SLATER

Universi~ o f B r a d ~ ,

~K.

Book R e n e w s

Solvent Extraction, Principles and Applications to Process Metallurgy, Part II, by G.M. Ritcey and A.W. Ashbrook. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1979, xi + 737 pages, price Dfl. 195/$ 95. (hard cover).
It is refreshing to find a t e x t b o o k which is devoted to the industrial uses of solvent extraction, in contrast to the more theoretical treatises which extend only to laboratory applications. The combined practical wisdom of the authors has produced a volume which u n d o u b t e d l y succeeds in its aim of "bridging the gap" between research and technology. The key section of the volume is a 437-page summary of solvent extraction processes. The summary is arranged by metal, from aluminium to zirconium, and concentrates on those processes in current use or at the pilot stage of development. For each metal, the authors supply clear plant flowsheets and a useful list of references, and laudably omit the myriad processes proposed which involve reagents too costly or too unstable for commercial use. The degree of detail varies considerably from metal to metal, depending on the availability of information, and the length of some of the sections derives from description of the hardware and operating conditions of several individual plants. Surprisingly little is included on nuclear waste reprocessing and plutonium production. Among the processes described is the direct treatment of slurries, commonly known as "solvent-in-pulp" processing. The economic desirability and

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technical feasibility of slurry treatment is reviewed in a positive fashion, from discouraging beginnings ("half of the amine was absorbed on the gangue") to the more promising work at CANMET and elsewhere. Before discussing the industrial processes, the authors set the scene with chapters on Process Development, Processing Equipment and Plant Design. Process Development is described rather briefly, since some of the material overlaps with that of Part I; the casual reader might therefore be misled by the comments on changes in pH value during equilibration and by the shortness of the section on kinetics. The authors' warnings on solvent pretreatment and their evaluation of pilot plant operations are very valuable inclusions. Processing Equipment is described through diagrams and through text, with a good selection of references to supply greater detail. Although the authors give a useful comparison of the contactors available, the comparison is hindered by the lack of standardised chemical systems and equipment sizes in the data. Plant Design includes some particularly pertinent facts on materials of construction for solvent extraction plants, which should be read by all research workers as well as by planners. It is probably sensible that the section devoted to plant safety is restricted, in view of the increasing complexity and variety of National safety legislation. The final chapters of the Volume are devoted to Effluent Treatment and Economic Considerations. The chapter on Effluent Treatment is concerned with the uses of solvent extraction rather than with treatment of solvent extraction raffinates, and shows the economic and environmental driving forces towards both solvent extraction and resin ion-exchange processing. Interesting comments are included on water recycling and on the long term environmental implications of neutralizing metal-bearing liquors with lime. The chapter on Economics brings together many useful data and generally avoids comparisons invalidated by the high level of inflation over the past decade, but unfortunately the dating of some of the cost estimates is unclear. The book closes with a convenient table of conversion factors and a substantial (23-page) index. It would be unusual to find a book without misprints, and happily there are only a small number in this volume. There should be no confusion, provided that the reader can tie text to Figure 8 in Chapter 1, can discount Co 6 and can reverse the odd misleading flow sheet arrow. Overall, the authors have produced a valuable addition to the solvent extraction literature which will be widely appreciated by specialists in the field and to which students of Mineral Processing should refer. Unfortunately the price of the volume may well deter the private buyer.
R.J. WHEWELL

University of Strathclyde