Reciprocating Compressor Valves
RONDER designs and manufactures reciprocating compressor valves in three categories: ring, mesh and poppet valves. The range comprises ten models, with different flow passages, valve elements, spring arrangements and cushioning designs.
Suction and discharge pressures, differential pressure across the valve, temperature, speed, lubrication and installation dimensions all affect the configuration. Mw below is the gas molecular weight. For mixtures, use the average calculated from the actual composition.
Product Range
| Category | Model | Main design feature |
|---|---|---|
| Ring valves | FW | Wide passages and a fouling-resistant design |
| Ring valves | HD | Gas cushioning |
| Ring valves | HK | Design for light gases |
| Ring valves | HX | Profiled valve rings; resistance to contaminants, liquid slugging and oil sticking |
| Mesh valves | WD | Wide flow slots and larger lift |
| Mesh valves | WG | Springs around the outer circumference and a design to reduce sticking |
| Mesh valves | WJ | Metal valve plates and dual cushioning |
| Mesh valves | WP | Leaf springs and a compact valve guard |
| Poppet valves | JD | Individual poppets and larger lift |
| Poppet valves | JG | Skirtless poppets |
Ring Valves
FW Fouling-Resistant Valve
FW is a ring valve for gases containing contaminants or prone to deposits. Wide passages, wide sealing surfaces and larger lift work with the valve-plate design and valve-body surface treatment to reduce the effects of deposits and sticking on gas flow and sealing.
The valve plates are PEEK, the springs are 17-7PH, and the valve body is made from forgings. Valve lift and spring configuration are selected for the speed, gas properties and load conditions.
Selection Notes
Recommended for coal-chemical gas processing and waste-gas recovery in petroleum and petrochemical service, particularly where dust, tar or polymers cause recurring blockage or sticking.
Provide the contaminant type, concentration and deposit history. Where condensate or lubricating oil is carried over, check inlet separation and drainage as well. Filtration, gas-liquid separation and proper lubrication upstream still matter. For recurring failures, photos of failed parts and maintenance records help us find the cause.
HD Gas-Cushioned Valve
HD is a ring valve with multiple springs, gas cushioning in the valve guard and smaller lift. As the valve plate approaches the guard, the gas cushion and springs reduce opening impact.
Selection Notes
Recommended for relatively clean gas service where valve-plate opening impact needs to be controlled. Select lift and springs for the gas density, differential pressure across the valve and speed, taking flow capacity and valve closing timing into account.
HK Valve for Light Gases
Read the HK valve technical case
HK is a ring valve with wide passages, wide sealing surfaces and smaller lift. The smaller lift limits plate tilting and contact impact; spring selection adjusts the opening and closing motion.
Selection Notes
Commonly used for light gases with Mw < 8. Configurations are available for lubricated or nonlubricated service. For mixtures, calculate the average molecular weight from the actual composition, then select materials and springs for gas compatibility, suction and discharge pressures, and temperature.
HX Profiled Ring Valve
HX is a reciprocating compressor ring valve with profiled valve rings. It combines good flow characteristics and energy efficiency with resistance to contaminants, liquid slugging and oil sticking. Heavy-duty springs provide long fatigue life.
Product Features
- Profiled valve-ring structure with good flow characteristics and energy efficiency
- Resistant to contaminants and buildup, with good reliability
- Resistant to liquid slugging
- Resistant to oil sticking
- Heavy-duty springs with long fatigue life
Selection Notes
HX is designed for duties involving contaminant buildup, liquid carryover or oil sticking.
Send the compressor model, existing valve drawings or installation dimensions, and your operating data.
Mesh Valves
WD Wide-Slot Valve
Read the WD valve technical case
WD has wide flow slots, larger lift and a relatively simple mesh-valve construction. The wide slots reduce the likelihood of blockage, while the larger lift increases the flow area between the plate and seat. Lift and springs jointly control valve-plate motion.
Selection Notes
Recommended for Mw > 5 and speeds below 1000 rpm, with configurations for lubricated or nonlubricated service. For gases prone to deposits, consider particle characteristics, deposit severity and access for cleaning.
WG Valve with Outer Springs
Read the WG valve technical case
WG places the springs around the outermost circumference of the valve and uses fouling-resistant treatment in the flow passages. This design reduces the effects of oil-film adhesion on valve motion and limits deposits in the passages.
Product Features
- Resistant to liquid slugging
- Heavy-duty springs with low stress and long service life
Selection Notes
Recommended for lubricated service at speeds below 1800 rpm, particularly where oil films cause valve plates to stick. If the oil supply is high or oil accumulates, select the configuration using the actual oil feed rate and check lubrication and gas-liquid separation.
WJ Metal-Plate Valve
WJ uses metal valve plates, multiple flow slots and dual cushioning. Strong cushioning springs act during opening and closing to reduce contact impact and resist oil sticking.
Selection Notes
Recommended for process compressors using metal valve plates at speeds below 1000 rpm. Lubricated and nonlubricated service use different configurations. Select plate materials for gas corrosiveness, temperature and cyclic loading.
WP Leaf-Spring Valve
Read the WP valve technical case
WP uses multiple flow slots, combinations of leaf springs and a valve guard without spring pockets. The leaf springs provide nonlinear stiffness and good opening and closing characteristics for varying operating conditions. Combining multiple leaves reduces spring stress. The pocket-free design helps reduce guard thickness and the associated clearance volume.
Selection Notes
Recommended for compressors operating below 1000 rpm where installation space and valve clearance volume matter. Configurations are available for lubricated or nonlubricated service. For variable-load or variable-speed operation, assess valve-plate motion over the actual operating range.
Poppet Valves
JD Valve with Individual Poppets
JD uses multiple individual poppets and larger lift. The spherical poppet surface forms a line-contact seal with the seat. The poppets have a honeycomb arrangement, and each poppet and spring can be inspected and maintained separately.
Selection Notes
Recommended for speeds below 600 rpm where a larger flow area at the valve opening and access for poppet maintenance are needed. Configurations are available for lubricated or nonlubricated service. Match lift, poppet mass and spring force to the speed and differential pressure.
JG Skirtless Poppet Valve
JG uses individual skirtless poppets. The spherical poppet surface forms a line-contact seal with the seat. The honeycomb arrangement allows each poppet and spring to be inspected separately.
Selection Notes
Recommended for lubricated or nonlubricated service at speeds below 1500 rpm. Check poppet load capacity against the differential pressure across the valve, taking its dimensions, material and support arrangement into account.
Information for Valve Selection
Provide the following information for a technical enquiry.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Compressor and installation | Manufacturer, model, number of stages, cylinder bore, stroke, suction and discharge valve locations, valve-pocket dimensions and available drawings. |
| Gas | Composition and its variation, corrosiveness, moisture content, particles, tar, polymers and liquid carryover. |
| Operating conditions | Suction and discharge pressures and temperatures, flow, speed range, capacity control and start-up/shutdown conditions for each operating case. State whether pressures are absolute or gauge and specify the flow reference conditions. |
| Lubrication and maintenance | Lubricated or nonlubricated operation, oil type and feed rate, filtration and separation equipment, maintenance intervals and failure records. |
| Project requirements | Applicable standards and editions, inspection and documentation requirements, material restrictions and the problem to be addressed. |
Pressure Information
Give suction and discharge pressure for each stage, and say whether they are absolute or gauge. The differential pressure across the valve changes through the compression cycle and drives plate or poppet motion.
For valve selection or a valve redesign, send the available compressor and operating data to sales@ronder-valve.com.
Valve models and selection conditions
Scroll across for all selection details →
| Model / type | Speed (rpm) | Molecular weight Mw | Duty and selection focus | Construction and components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW Ring | — | — | Contaminants and deposits; wide passages and larger lift | PEEK plates; 17-7PH springs; forged valve body |
| HD Ring | — | — | Relatively clean gas; smaller lift and opening-impact control | Multiple springs; gas cushion in the guard |
| HK Ring | — | < 8 | Light gases; lubricated or nonlubricated configurations | Wide passages and sealing surfaces; smaller lift |
| HX Ring | — | — | Contaminants, deposits and oil sticking | Valve rings |
| WD Mesh | < 1000 | > 5 | Lubricated or nonlubricated service; review deposits | Wide flow slots; larger lift |
| WG Mesh | < 1800 | — | Lubricated service; oil-film sticking | Outer-circumference springs; treated flow passages |
| WJ Mesh | < 1000 | — | Process compressors; lubricated or nonlubricated configurations | Metal plates; multiple slots; dual cushioning |
| WP Mesh | < 1000 | — | Installation space and clearance volume | Leaf springs; guard without spring pockets |
| JD Poppet | < 600 | — | Larger flow area; individual poppet maintenance | Individual poppets; spherical line-contact seal |
| JG Poppet | < 1500 | — | Lubricated or nonlubricated service; review poppet loading | Skirtless poppets; spherical line-contact seal |
Send each stage’s suction and discharge pressures and temperatures, speed, gas composition and drawings to determine valve differential pressure, materials, lift, springs and installation dimensions. Calculate mixture Mw from the actual composition.