A reciprocating compressor cylinder, also known as a compression cylinder or stage, is a pressure-retaining part of a reciprocating compressor that houses the process gas during compression. The cylinder also accommodates both discharge and suction valves.
Reciprocating Compressor Cylinder
Reciprocating Compressor Cylinder
Reciprocating Compressor Cylinder

Reciprocating Compressor Cylinder

DescriptionWorking Process
The cylinder is mainly composed of cylinder block, cylinder liner, cylinder head and so on. The material group should have cast iron, stainless steel, etc.
Cylinders are pressure vessels that contain the gas that is to be compressed, and as such, they are one of the most important components of a reciprocating compressor.

In large low-pressure cylinders, these parts are made up of cast iron and are removable from the major frame.

They are also connected to the frame through an intermediary known as a distance piece.

Alternatively, small high-pressure cylinder compressors made of steel are directly fixed to the main body of the compressor.

Cylinders support the discharge valve plates and suction and sometimes feature replaceable liners or sleeves which give the cylinder’s wearing portion a renewable surface.

The liners do not slip from the surface. Therefore, they ensure that if the cylinder is worn or damaged, it can easily be replaced instead of buying a new system entirely which is more expensive.

The function of cylinders in reciprocating compressors is to cool the temperature of the machine during its compression cycle which tends to generate heat.

This is made possible with the use of a water jacket or fins in the cylinder which provides cooling air.


The cylinder is a pressure-retaining part of the reciprocating compressor. The cylinder accommodates both suction and discharge valves. For smaller capacity reciprocating compressor (up to 100kW), the cylinder is directly connected to compressor frame. For larger capacity reciprocating compressor (above 100kW), the cylinder is connected to compressor frame through distance piece.

Normally most of the cylinders used in the process industries are equipped with replaceable liners. The purpose of the liner is to provide a renewable surface to the wearing portion of the cylinder. This saves the cost of replacing a complete cylinder once the bore has been worn out or metal scoring.

For the larger capacity compressor, cylinders are provided with replaceable linear. In smaller capacity compressors, particularly for single stage models the replaceable liner is not economical and may not be available.

The cylinders are equipped for the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature rise during the compression cycle. This is usually by means of a water jacket if water jacketing in the cylinder is not feasible than fins are provided in the cylinder for air cooling. The latter method is limited to either small or special purpose machines.

The most common material used in cylinder construction is cast iron for the larger, low-pressure cylinders and steel for the smaller, high-pressure cylinders. In some cases, nodular or ductile iron can be used in lieu of cast iron. For hydrocarbon service, steel is most desirable, although not universally available.

For capacity control, clearance pocket included in the cylinders. In the case of multistage compressors, the clearance pocket is used in the first stage cylinder.

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