Great Article on Reciprocating Compressor Basics by Prof_Lube | Jul 9, 2013 | News A reciprocating compressor is a positive-displacement machine that uses a piston to compress a gas and deliver it at high pressure. They are often some of the most critical and expensive systems at a production facility, and deserve special attention. Gas transmission pipelines, petrochemical plants, refineries and many other industries all depend on this type of equipment.