Book excerpt: This work presents an up-to-date account of some of the fundamental aspects of liquid-liquid extraction technology together with an account of extraction processes in a number of important industries. The work is divided into two parts. Volume 1 is concerned with the thermodynamics of phase equilibria; mass transfer in liquid-liquid systems, including the complicating role of interfacial turbulence; behavior of liquid-liquid dispersions; and the selection and design of countercurrent contactors for particular applications. Volume 2 gives an account of the process chemistry and associated extraction operations in a number of industries of current interest. New extraction techniques have been developed in recent years for specific applications and these are illustrated with reference to the hydrometallurgical, nuclear, pharmaceutical and food industries.