In a double-acting type of reciprocating compressor, where does compression and discharge occur?

In a double-acting reciprocating compressor, compression and discharge occur at both ends of the cylinder. This design allows for the efficient use of the stroke of the piston, as it compresses the gas on both the forward and the return strokes.

During the forward stroke, the piston compresses the gas in one chamber while simultaneously drawing in more gas into the other chamber. When the piston moves back, the previously compressed gas is discharged from that chamber, while the other chamber is again filled with gas. This dual-action results in continuous gas flow and improved efficiency, as both ends of the cylinder are utilized for compression purposes.

This setup contrasts with single-acting compressors, which only utilize one end of the cylinder for compression. By incorporating operations at both ends, double-acting compressors can achieve a higher output and are often used in applications that require consistent and high-output gas compression.