This text offers a thorough overview of the operating characteristics, efficiencies, design features, troubleshooting, and maintenance of dynamic and positive displacement process gas compressors. The author examines a wide spectrum of compressors used in heavy process industries, with an emphasis on improving reliability and avoiding failure. Readers learn both the theory underlying compressors as well as the myriad day-to-day practical issues and challenges that chemical engineers and plant operation personnel must address.

The text features:

• Latest design and manufacturing details of dynamic and positive displacement process gas compressors
• Examination of the full range of machines available for the heavy process industries
• Thorough presentation of the arrangements, material composition, and basic laws governing the design of all important process gas compressors
• Guidance on selecting optimum compressor configurations, controls, components, and auxiliaries to maximize reliability
• Monitoring and performance analysis for optimal machinery condition
• Systematic methods to avoid failure through the application of field-tested reliability enhancement concepts
• Fluid instability and externally pressurized bearings
• Reliability-driven asset management strategies for compressors
• Upstream separator and filter issues

The text's structure is carefully designed to build knowledge and skills by starting with key principles and then moving to more advanced material. Hundreds of photos depicting various types of compressors, components, and processes are provided throughout.

Compressors often represent a multi-million dollar investment for such applications as petrochemical processing and refining, refrigeration, pipeline transport, and turbochargers and superchargers for internal combustion engines. This text enables the broad range of engineers and plant managers who work with these compressors to make the most of the investment by leading them to the best decisions for selecting, operating, upgrading, maintaining, and troubleshooting.Content:
Chapter 1 Theory (pages 3–27):
Chapter 2 Reciprocating Process Compressor Design Overview (pages 29–62):
Chapter 3 Reciprocating Compressor Performance and Monitoring Considerations (pages 63–97):
Chapter 4 Labyrinth Piston Compressors (pages 99–107):
Chapter 5 Hypercompressors (pages 109–120):
Chapter 6 Metal Diaphragm Compressors (pages 121–128):
Chapter 7 Lobe and Sliding Vane Compressors (pages 129–134):
Chapter 8 Liquid Ring Compressors (pages 135–139):
Chapter 9 Rotary Screw Compressors and Filter Separators (pages 141–169):
Chapter 10 Reciprocating Compressor Performance and Sizing Fundamentals (pages 171–196):
Chapter 11 Simplified Equations for Determining the Performance of Dynamic Compressors (pages 205–213):
Chapter 12 Design Considerations and Manufacturing Techniques (pages 215–297):
Chapter 13 Advanced Sealing and Bearing Systems (pages 299–337):
Chapter 14 Couplings, Torque Transmission, and Torque Sensing (pages 339–355):
Chapter 15 Lubrication, Sealing, and Control Oil Systems for Turbomachinery (pages 357–361):
Chapter 16 Compressor Control (pages 363–380):
Chapter 17 Head?Flow Curve Shape of Centrifugal Compressors (pages 381–393):
Chapter 18 Use of Multiple?Inlet Compressors (pages 395–407):
Chapter 19 Compressor Performance Testing (pages 409–441):
Chapter 20 Procurement, Audit, and Asset Management Decisions (pages 443–476):
Chapter 21 Reliability?Driven Asset Management Strategies (pages 477–497):