In an axial-flow compressor, what is a stage?

In an axial-flow compressor, what is a stage?

• A. A rotating wheel motion
• B. A single blade and vane
• C. A row of rotating blades and stationary vanes
• D. A complete engine cycle

Answer: (C)

In an axial-flow compressor, a stage is a set consisting of a row of rotating blades and a matching row of stationary vanes that follows it. The rotor blades accelerate and energize the air, increasing its pressure and velocity. The stator vanes then straighten and guide the flow, converting part of that kinetic energy into additional pressure and directing the air efficiently into the next stage. This rotor-stator pairing is repeated to build up the overall pressure ratio of the compressor. So, a stage isn’t just a blade or a single engine action; it’s the combined action of rotating blades plus stationary vanes that processes the air for the next step.

In an axial-flow compressor, a stage is a set consisting of a row of rotating blades and a matching row of stationary vanes that follows it. The rotor blades accelerate and energize the air, increasing its pressure and velocity. The stator vanes then straighten and guide the flow, converting part of that kinetic energy into additional pressure and directing the air efficiently into the next stage. This rotor-stator pairing is repeated to build up the overall pressure ratio of the compressor. So, a stage isn’t just a blade or a single engine action; it’s the combined action of rotating blades plus stationary vanes that processes the air for the next step.