In reciprocating compressors, the design of the piston rod plays a critical role in operational efficiency, heat management, and component longevity. This paper examines the use of hollow piston rods as a potential solution to enhance the cooling of piston rod sealing elements, thereby reducing their wear rate and thermal stress.
A comparative study is conducted between hollow and full piston rods, focusing on their strength behaviour and critical buckling forces. Both analytical and numerical methods are employed to calculate the buckling behaviour for two cases. The results of these analyses are presented to assess the structural performance, highlighting the potential advantages and applicability of hollow piston rods in improving thermal management without compromising mechanical integrity.