Catalysis occupies a pivotal position in the physical and biological sciences. As well as being the mainstay of the chemical industry, it is the means of effecting many laboratory syntheses and the root cause of all enzymatic processes. This book is an eminently readable introduction to the fundamental principles of heterogeneous catalysis. Written by world-renowned experts, it explains the vocabulary, grammar and literature of catalysis from the laboratory-oriented model study through to the operating plant. Didactically skillful and using many lucidly designed figures, the authors present an insightful exposition of all important concepts, new developments and techniques in this rapidly advancing field.