Compressors and Modern Process Applications

Illustration Credits and Photo Acknowledgments.

PART I.

Chapter 1. Positive Displacement Compressors.

1.1 Reciprocating Compressors.

1.2 Major Components Described.

1.3 Comparison between Reciprocating and Centrifugal Compressors.

1.4 Series and Parallel Operation.

Chapter 2. Rotary Compressors as a Category.

2.1 Helical Screw Compressors.

2.2 Overview of Operating Principles and Basic Construction.

2.3 Considerations for Screw Compressor Staging.

2.4 Reasons for Using Screw Compressors.

2.5 Oil-Free Versus Oil-Flooded Twin-Screw Compressors.

2.6 Screw Compressor Volume Control.

2.7 Screw Compressor Auxiliaries.

2.8 Issues with H₂S in All Gas Compressors.

2.9 Considerations for Upstream Separators.

Chapter 3. Understanding Centrifugal Process Gas Compressors.

3.1 Where Centrifugal Compressors Excel.

3.2 Centrifugal Compressors, Fans, or Blowers?

3.3 Centrifugal Compressor Configurations and Components.

Chapter 4. Power Transmission and Advanced Bearing Technology.

4.1 Couplings for Rotary Positive-Displacement and Centrifugal Compressors.

4.2 Magnetic Bearings for Compressor Rotors.

4.3 Externally Pressurized Bearings.

4.4 General Condition Monitoring of Process Gas Compressors.

4.5 Combining Troubleshooting and Continuous Monitoring of Dynamic Data for Critical Machinery.

Chapter 5. Centrifugal Compressor Performance.

5.1 Compression Processes and Efficiencies: Polytropic Versus Isothermal.

5.2 Specific Speed (N_s) and the Flow Coefficient (φ).

5.3 Estimating Compressor Performance.

5.4 Controls.

5.5 Throughput Control Options.

Chapter 6. Testing.

6.1 Centrifugal Compressor Testing.

6.2 Types of Performance Tests.

6.3 The ASME Power Test Code (ASME PTC 10).

Chapter 7. Application Considerations.

7.1 Applications and Industry Sectors.

7.2 Air Separation Plants and Compressors for Instrument and Plant Air Services.

7.3 Natural Gas Processing Industry.

7.4 Offshore Industry.

7.5 Refining Industry.

7.6 Petrochemicals and Fertilizers.

7.7 Steel Industry.

7.8 Special Applications.

Chapter 8. Using API-617 as a Purchase Specification for Centrifugal Compressors.

8.1 Compressor Revamps.

PART II.

Segment 1: Gas Processing.

Segment 2: Refining Processes.

Segment 3: Petrochemical Processes.

References.

Index.