Book excerpt: Hydraulics and Pneumatics: A Technician's and Engineer's Guide provides an introduction to the components and operation of a hydraulic or pneumatic system. This book discusses the main advantages and disadvantages of pneumatic or hydraulic systems. Organized into eight chapters, this book begins with an overview of industrial prime movers. This text then examines the three different types of positive displacement pump used in hydraulic systems, namely, gear pumps, vane pumps, and piston pumps. Other chapters consider the pressure in a hydraulic system, which can be quickly and easily controlled by devices such as unloading and pressure regulating valves. This book discusses as well the importance of control valves in pneumatic and hydraulic systems to regulate and direct the flow of fluid from compressor or pump to the various load devices. The final chapter deals with the safe-working practices of the systems. This book is a valuable resource for process control engineers.