What is a reciprocating compressor?

A reciprocating compressor is a type of positive displacement compressor that uses pistons driven by a crankshaft to deliver gases at high pressure.

What is the difference between centrifugal and reciprocating compressors?

Centrifugal compressors use a rotating impeller to add velocity to the gas and then convert this velocity into pressure (dynamic compression). In contrast, reciprocating compressors use pistons to compress the gas in a cylinder (positive compression).

What are the disadvantages of reciprocating compressors?

A disadvantage of reciprocating compressors includes higher maintenance requirements due to multiple moving components with wearing surfaces.

How does a reciprocating compressor operate?

A reciprocating compressor operates by using a piston within a cylinder to compress the gas. The piston moves back and forth, driven by crankshaft, drawing in gas during the intake cycle then compressing the gas when piston changes direction.

What opens and closes the valves in a reciprocating compressor?

The valves in a reciprocating compressor operate automatically in response to pressure differences and are designed to open and close at precise times during the piston's movement.

Reciprocating Compressors

High performance, high efficiency, high reliability, and low maintenance reciprocating compressors for process industry and decarbonization

As a leading supplier of reciprocating compressors, our extensive Dresser-Rand portfolio of slow speed process reciprocating compressors and medium to high-speed separable units enable us to offer products for applications across both process and decarbonization industries.

Our reciprocating compressors are used in a wide range of applications, helping customers across the globe through their energy transition, increasing efficiency and lowering emissions step by step. Applications include:

Upstream: LNG (boil-off gas), reinjection, CO2 / EOR, gathering, export / sales gas, fuel gas
Midstream: Gas pipeline transmission, gas storage / withdrawal, gas processing
Downstream: Hydrocracking, hydrotreating, reforming, hydrogen plants, off gas receovery, fertilizer syngas, polyethylene, biodiesel
Decarbonization: Green H2 production, H2 pipeline, H2 storage, H2 liquefaction, green ammonia, green methanol, CO2 capture / pipeline / storage

Our process reciprocating compressors are available with up to 10 crank throws, as single-throw or balanced-opposed configurations. We custom engineer every unit by designing each cylinder and valve, and select other components to meet your specific operating requirements. Our factory experts check all critical clearances and dimensions, and perform inspections and tests to prevent installation problems. The result is a reciprocating compressor that meets or exceeds client specifications, while delivering unmatched efficiency and reliability.

With the most versatile compressor lineup on the market and a reputation for serving standard applications and the most demanding jobs (high pressure, CO₂, sour and acid gases, and floating applications), we cover virtually every application. This class of reciprocating compressors is designed to meet ISO 13631 with options to meet ISO 13707, or API 618 specifications. Our offering includes three different models with horsepower (HP) ranges up to 7,800 HP (5,816 kW), allowable rod loads up to 75,000 PSI (333kn), rated maximum speeds up to 1,500 RPM, and pressures up to 10,000 PSIG. Click on the model types below to learn more about our best in class.

Reciprocating compressor valves and capacity control

Aftermarket modernizations and upgrades

Gas engine solutions

Revitalize your gas engine
Enhancing the performance of your gas engine, regardless of its OEM, is not just a service, it's a commitment to excellence. With a focus on reliability, efficiency, turnkey solutions and responsiveness, we at Siemens Energy take pride in being your trusted partner throughout your engine's entire lifecycle. From modernizations and upgrades, scheduled overhauls, and repairs to spare parts, our global team of highly qualified specialists is dedicated to delivering dependable and on-going support.

We have installed over 2 million horsepower of reciprocating compression in hydrogen rich services.
With extensive experience and a long list of project references, our process and high speed reciprocating compressors can be tailored for your specific project designs.

Our compressors are used primarily for H₂ product, tail gas, feed gas and H₂ make up applications, as well as H₂ pipelines and storage.

Reduce your CAPEX and experience high reliability and dependable service from our hydrogen compressor portfolio.

Markets:

Process industries
Refining
H₂fuel gas boosting (H₂ rich fuel with reduced CO₂ emissions from our gas turbines)
H₂ pipelines
H₂ boosting after electrolysis system
H₂ storage