The compressor stators in a gas turbine engine act as diffuser to...

The compressor stators in a gas turbine engine act as diffuser to...

• A. Decrease the velocity and increase the pressure of the gas flow
• B. Increase the velocity and decrease the pressure of the gas flow
• C. Decrease the pressure and velocity
• D. Increase the velocity and increase the pressure

Answer: (C)

Diffuser action: the stators between compressor stages are shaped to slow down the flow and turn it smoothly for the next rotor. As the gas decelerates, its kinetic energy is converted into static pressure, so the flow leaves the stator with a higher pressure and a lower velocity. This pressure rise helps increase the overall compression ratio while keeping the flow conditions suitable for the next stage. So the best description is that the stator decreases velocity and increases pressure. Descriptions that involve increasing velocity or decreasing pressure don’t match the diffuser effect and would undermine the stage’s performance.

Diffuser action: the stators between compressor stages are shaped to slow down the flow and turn it smoothly for the next rotor. As the gas decelerates, its kinetic energy is converted into static pressure, so the flow leaves the stator with a higher pressure and a lower velocity. This pressure rise helps increase the overall compression ratio while keeping the flow conditions suitable for the next stage. So the best description is that the stator decreases velocity and increases pressure. Descriptions that involve increasing velocity or decreasing pressure don’t match the diffuser effect and would undermine the stage’s performance.