Compressors have played a major role in setting our standard of living and they have contributed significantly to the industrial revolu�tion. Early compressors like the bellows (used to stoke a fire or the water organ use to make music) marked the beginning of a series of compres�sion tools. Without compression techniques we could not have efficiently
stabilized crude oil (by removing its trapped gasses) or separated the various components of gas mixtures or transported large quantities of
gas cross country via gas pipelines. Today, compressors are so much a part of our every day existence that many of us do not even recognize them for what they are. Compressors exist in almost every business and household as vacuum cleaners and heating & air conditioning blowers.
Even those who have worked with compressors (usually only one or
two types of compressor) have only a vague awareness of the variety
of compressors in existence today.
It is always interesting to see how the inventive process takes place, and how the development process progresses from inception to
final design. Therefore, included in some sections of the book is histori�cal information on the development of various compressors. Due to the number of different types of compressors it was too time consuming
to research the origins of each compressor type. For the roots blower and screw compressor the inventive process is clear as discussed in
Chapters 1 and 3. However, the origin of the reciprocating compressor is somewhat obscured. No doubt the water organ devised by Ctesibius of Alexandria paved the way. Nevertheless, using water to compress air
in a water organ is a far cry from a piston moving within a cylinder to compress gas. True there is significant similarity between reciprocat�ing engines and reciprocating compressors: Just as there is similarity
between turbo compressors and turbine expanders.
Many engineers/technicians/operators spend their entire careers in one product discipline (manufacturing, maintenance, test, sales, etc…). Sometimes they have had the opportunity to work in several disciplines.
This book is intended to assist in the transition from an academic back�ground to a practical field, or from one field to another. It will assist the reader in his day-to-day duties as well as knowing where to look for ad�ditional information. Also people respond better when they understand
why they are asked to perform certain functions, or to perform them in
a certain order.My intention is to provide a basic understanding of the variety of
compressors. The need for this book has grown out of the request for seminars and training sessions from utilities and oil & gas companies.
Most often these companies hire new employees or relocate and retrain
their current employees. The reader may have some experience in the operation or maintenance of some compression equipment from previ�ous assignments.
This book provides a practical introduction to dynamic and posi�tive displacement compressors, including compressor performance, op�eration and problem awareness. In reading this book the reader will learn what is needed to select, operate and troubleshoot compressors and to communicate with peers, sales personnel and manufacturers in the field of dynamic and positive displacement compressor applications.
In addition to the theoretical information, real life case histories are presented. The book demonstrates investigative techniques to iden�tify and isolate various contributing causes such as: design deficiencies,
manufacturing defects, adverse environmental conditions, operating er�rors, and intentional or unintentional changes of the machinery process that precede the failure. Acquiring and perfecting these skills will enable
readers to go back to their workplace and perform their job functions
more effectively.In addition to the content of this book the engineer/technician/
operator will find that the information provided in the appendix will
become a useful reference for years to come.
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