Book excerpt: The benchmark guide for compressor technology pros You don't have to scour piles of technical literature for compressor answers any longer. The Compressor Handbook compiled by Paul Hanlon packs all the answers on design procedures, practical application, and maintenance of compressors—straight from top experts on these widely used machines. You get details on everything from fundamentals and theory to advanced applications, techniques, and today's materials -- including sought-after data on compressors that inflate tires, spray paint, increase the density of natural gas, or perform any of a myriad of other important industrial and day-to-day functions. This fully illustrated Handbook can help you: Understand the structure and operation of compressors of all types Design or select compressors for any use, from power-cleaning to chemical processes Follow step-by-step design procedures for fewer errors and optimized results Specify leading-edge materials, components, and lubricants Operate and maintain all types of compressors at peak efficiency Answer questions on and provide designs for ancillary and auxiliary equipment Invent new applications for compressor technology Easily find tabular data on gas properties, efficiency curves, compression ratios, and horsepower, plus definitions of nomenclature