Internal Rod Load, Gas

 
Internal gas Rod Load is the force imposed on the rod, caused by pressure inside the cylinder against the head end and crank end piston areas. Below rod load calculations use gauge pressures.  Ariel uses cylinder internal pressures to calculate gas rod loads.
 
Double Acting Cylinders
 
RLc = Ahe x Pd -Ace x Ps
RLt = Ace x Pd - Ahe x Ps
For Single Acting (Crank End) Cylinders
RLc = Ahe x Ps - Ace x Ps
RLt = Ace x Pd - Ahe x Ps
 
To obtain rod load reversal, it is recommended to single act cylinders by deactivating the head end (removing or unloading the head end suction valve(s)). Deactivating the crank end may cause a non-reversing rod load and must be carefully evaluated.
 
Tandem Cylinders
 
Tandem Cylinders - (High Pressure Cylinder Outboard)
RLc = Ahe(HP) x Pdi(HP) +[Ahe(LP) - Ahe(HP)] x Psflg(LP) - Ace(LP) x Psi(LP)
RLt = Ace(LP) x Pdi(LP) - [Ahe(LP) - Ahe(HP)] x Psflg(LP) - Ahe(HP) x Psi(HP)
 
High Pressure Cylinder Outboard

 
 
Tandem Cylinders - (High Pressure Cylinder Inboard)
RLc = Ahe(LP) x Pdi(LP) - [Ahe(LP) - Ahe(HP)] x Psflg(LP) - Ace(HP) x Psi(HP)
RLt = Ace(HP) x Pdi(HP) + [Ahe(LP) - Ahe(HP)] x Psflg(LP) - Ahe(LP) x Psi(LP)
 
High Pressure Cylinder Inboard

 RLc= Internal compression gas rod load, lbf
 RLt= Internal tension gas rod load, lbf
 Ahe= Piston head end area, in2  
 Ace= Piston crank end area, in2
 Ahe(hp)= High pressure cylinder piston head end area, in2  (for tandem cylinders)
 Ace(hp)= High pressure cylinder piston crank end area,  in2 (for tandem cylinders)
 Ahe(lp)= Low pressure cylinder piston head end area,  in2 (for tandem cylinders)
 Ace(lp)= Low pressure cylinder piston crank end area,  in2 (for tandem cylinders)
 Ps = Internal suction pressure, psig
 Pd = Internal discharge pressure, psig
 Ps(hp) = High pressure cylinder internal suction pressure, psig
 Pd(hp)= High pressure cylinder internal discharge pressure, psig
 Ps(lp)= Low pressure cylinder internal suction pressure, psig
 Pd(lp)= Low pressure cylinder internal discharge pressure, psig
 
Gauge pressures are used in the above equations for simplicity.  Absolute pressure can be used for gas rod load calculations.  However, the above equations would need to be modified to include the atmospheric pressure on the free end of the piston rod.  
 

Ariel Corporation Application Manual  
23 Dec 2010