Includes index.

"Gas compressors tend to be the largest, most costly, and most critical machines employed in chemical and gas transfer processes. Since they tend to have the greatest effect on the reliability of processes they power, compressors typically receive the most scrutiny of all the machinery among the general population of processing equipment. To prevent unwanted compressor failures from occurring, operators must be taught how their equipment should operate and how each installation is different from one another. The ultimate purpose of this book is to teach those who work in process settings more about gas compressors, so they can start up and operate them correctly and monitor their condition with more confidence. Some may regard compressor technology as too broad and complex a topic for operating personnel to fully understand, but the author has distilled this vast body of knowledge into some key, easy to understand lessons for the reader to study at his or her own pace. The main goals of this book are to: -Explain important theories and concepts about gases and compression processes with a minimum of mathematics -Identify key compressor components and explain how they affect reliability -Explain how centrifugal compressors, reciprocating compressors, and screw compressors function.-Explain key operating factors that affect reliability -Introduce the reader to basic troubleshooting methodologies -Introduce operators to proven field inspection techniques"-- Provided by publisher.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on August 02, 2019).

Intro; Title page; Copyright page; Dedication; Acknowledgements; Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction to Gases; 1.1 Ideal Gases; 1.2 Properties of Gases; 1.3 Temperature; 1.4 Pressure; 1.5 Gas Laws; 1.6 Gas Mixtures; 1.7 Molecular Weight of a Gas Mixture; 1.8 Gas Density; 1.9 Density of Mixtures; 1.10 Heat of Compression; Chapter 2: Commonly Used Compressor Flow Terms; 2.1 Ideal Gas Law; 2.2 Visualizing Gas Flow; 2.3 Compressibility Factor (Z); 2.4 Sizing Compressors; Chapter 3: Compression Processes; 3.1 Adiabatic Compression; 3.2 Polytropic Compression

Chapter 4: What Role the Compression Ratio Plays in Compressor Design and Selection4.1 Compression Ratio versus Discharge Temperature; 4.2 Design Temperature Margin; Chapter 5: An Introduction to Compressor Operations; 5.1 Compression Basics; 5.2 Defining Gas Flow; 5.3 Compressor Types; 5.4 Multistaging; 5.5 Key Reliability Indicators; Chapter 6: Centrifugal Compressors; 6.1 Centrifugal Compressor Piping Arrangements; 6.2 Start-Up Configuration; 6.3 Centrifugal Compressor Horsepower; 6.4 Troubleshooting Tips; 6.5 Centrifugal Compressor Start-Ups; 6.6 Centrifugal Compressor Checklist

Chapter 7: How Process Changes Affect Centrifugal Compressor Performance7.1 Baseball Pitcher Analogy; 7.2 How Gas Density Affects Horsepower; 7.3 Theory versus Practice; Chapter 8: How to Read a Centrifugal Compressor Performance Map; 8.1 The Anatomy of a Compressor Map; 8.2 Design Conditions; Chapter 9: Keeping Your Centrifugal Compressor Out of Harm's Way; 9.1 Compressor Operating Limits; 9.2 Compressor Flow Limits; 9.3 Critical Speeds; 9.4 Horsepower Limits; 9.5 Temperatures; Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Centrifugal Compressors in Process Services

10.1 The Field Troubleshooting Process-Step by Step10.2 The "Hourglass" Approach to Troubleshooting; 10.3 Thinking and Acting Globally; 10.4 Troubleshooting Matrix and Table; 10.5 Centrifugal Compressor Troubleshooting Example; Chapter 11: Reciprocating Compressors; 11.1 Reciprocating Compressor Installations; 11.2 Reciprocating Compressor Start-Ups; 11.3 Reciprocating Compressor Checklist; 11.4 Criticality; Chapter 12: Troubleshooting Reciprocating Compressors in Process Services; 12.1 The Field Troubleshooting Process-Step by Step; Chapter 13: Screw Compressors

13.1 Oil Injected Screw Compressors13.2 Screw Compressor Modulation; 13.3 Pressure Pulsation Issues; 13.4 Troubleshooting Screw Compressors; Chapter 14: Compressor Start-Up Procedures; 14.1 Compressor Start-Up Risks; 14.2 Generic Start-Up Procedure; 14.3 Centrifugal Compressor Start-Ups; 14.4 Reciprocating Compressor Start-Ups; 14.5 Screw Compressor Start-Ups; Chapter 15: Compressor Trains: Drivers, Speed Modifiers, and Driven Machines; 15.1 Driven Process Machines; 15.2 Gas Turbines; 15.3 Useful Gearbox Facts; 15.4 Combination Machines; Chapter 16: Compressor Components; 16.1 Bearing Types