Enriching the Earth: Fritz Haber, Carl Bosch, and the Transformation of World Food Production (MIT Press)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.56 (968 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0262693135 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 338 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2015-10-22 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
He is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba. In 2010 he was named by Foreign Policy as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers.. Vaclav Smil is the author of more than thirty books on energy, the environment, food, and the history of technical advances, including Harvesting the Biosphere: What We
He then looks at various attempts to expand natural nitrogen flows through mineral and synthetic fertilizers. Smil also examines the emergence of the large-scale nitrogen fertilizer industry and analyzes the extent of global dependence on the Haber-Bosch process and its biospheric consequences. Finally, it looks at the role of nitrogen in civilization and, in a sad coda, describes the lives of Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch after the discovery of ammonia synthesis.. The industrial synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen has been of greater
"Too many statistics, not enough science and history" according to Jeffrey S. Bonwick. The Haber process is arguably the most significant development of the 20th century, yet it remains virtually unknown to the general public. There are a few chapters on the history and chemistry of this vital process, and they are reasonably well written. But the vast majority of the book is an endless litany of statistics, completely devoid of narrative structure. For example:"In the United Kingdom more than half of all nitrogen fertilizer has been applied to grasslands. A Royal Society study found that in the late 1970s average applications on pastures surpassed the inputs to arable la. "Nitrogen in Agriculture -- The Haber-Bosch Process" according to Scott Holub. This is a great book for any one interested in the way the Haber-Bosch process of making Nitrogen fertilizer changed the world. Enriching the Earth provides in depth information on the history that led up to the discovery of the process of using N2 and H2 to make NHNitrogen in Agriculture -- The Haber-Bosch Process This is a great book for any one interested in the way the Haber-Bosch process of making Nitrogen fertilizer changed the world. Enriching the Earth provides in depth information on the history that led up to the discovery of the process of using N2 and H2 to make NH3. It also contains up to date information on the effects that all of this new nitrogen has on the earth.The book can get a little technical at times, with chemical formulas and schematics of the instruments. While I found this information useful, some people might find it overwhelming. If you skip over the techincal parts, t. . It also contains up to date information on the effects that all of this new nitrogen has on the earth.The book can get a little technical at times, with chemical formulas and schematics of the instruments. While I found this information useful, some people might find it overwhelming. If you skip over the techincal parts, t. "A superb account of the synthesis of ammonia and the role of nitrogen in agriculture" according to Paul & DJ. No other technology of the 20th Century had more effect on raising the standard of living of the people of the world than the synthesis of ammonia which allowed the population to be several times higher than it otherwise would have been and also greatly reduced hunger and malnutrition in most parts of the world.The book begins with the early science of chemistry and the development of a basic understanding of crop nutrition and the role of nitrogen in the early 1800's. After nitrogen's vital role was established a fertilizer industry based on guano and later Chilean nitrates, but suppli
(James N. his detailed story of the scientific trail that led to development of this process and its global impact is both enjoyable to read and an important contribution to the history of modern science and technology. Galloway, Professor and Chair, Environmental Sciences Department, University of Virginia)Vaclav Smil has written a fascinating review of Fritz Haber and Carl bosch's contribution to the world's food production through their discovery of the ammonium synthesis process. It will make a very significant contribution to the literature on the Haber-Bosch processof nitrogen synthesis, but perhaps even more significant, to putting in