by Dr. John Weisend II, European Spallation Source ERIC, CSA chairman, john.weisend@esss.se

An accurate knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of fluids is one of the cornerstones of cryogenic engineering. These properties, which vary greatly with temperature and pressure, drive refrigeration cycle design, safety analysis and overall cryogenic system design. Having access to these properties and knowing the accuracy of their values is vital.

Leachman et al’s “Thermodynamic Properties of Cryogenic Fluids” provides a significant addition to the literature on fluid properties and represents another essential volume in Springer’s International Cryogenics Monograph Series, edited by S. Van Sciver and S. Jeong.

Today, fluid properties are found using computer models that calculate the properties for each pure fluid via fundamental equations of state. The principal difference between the first and second edition of this book is that in the first edition the computer software used was ICMPROPS. This program has been incorporated into and succeeded by REFPROP, maintained by NIST and widely used in science and industry.

The second edition of this book uses the REFPROP program. Advances in computation and the development of REFPROP have led to greater accuracy in the computed fluid properties and this improvement is reflected in the text. The book begins with a brief overview of equations of state and their role in fluid properties and then has a separate chapter for each cryogenic fluid—ranging from helium to krypton.

Each chapter describes the equation of state used in REFPROP for the fluid along with a discussion of the uncertainties in fluid property produced by the model. Graphical and tabular representations of thermodynamic properties follow, allowing an understanding of property variation and data for simple calculations.

The book is clear, well written and provides important information on the thermodynamic properties of cryogenic fluids as well as the calculation and accuracy of the properties. The wide range of cryogenic fluids covered—including air, methane and deuterium—adds value to the book and many references are given for further research.

Together with the REFPROP software, this book provides a solid resource for cryogenic fluid properties. It is highly recommended for professionals and students in cryogenics as well as for libraries, and may also be of interest to those working in the area of equations of state and property modeling.

The second edition is more current than the first and people already owning the first edition would benefit from the second edition as well. The book only covers thermodynamic properties, however, and a similar work on transport properties of cryogenic fluids is desirable.

Use discount code “CSA2018” to receive 20% off your order from Springer. ■