In this text, Watson focuses on separation. The text is intended primarily for practicing environmental and chemical engineers, and for scientists. It, also, is appropriate for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students. Watson assumes a general understanding of chemistry and recommends one year of college-level chemistry and calculus as background. The chapters cover chemical and physical separation methods.
Filtration is covered quite extensively.
The focus is on the individual separation method, but one of Watson's main goals is to help the reader determine the appropriate method to remove contaminants from effluent streams. Thus, one unique feature of this book is that it compares the different methods and acts as a guide to choosing an appropriate method, specifically for waste and environmental treatment. Each chapter also includes a description of the method, description of equipment used in the process, and practical examples. Each chapter is followed by footnote references. An index ends the text.