Which component is primarily responsible for diffusing the air between rows of rotating blades in a turbine engine compressor?

Which component is primarily responsible for diffusing the air between rows of rotating blades in a turbine engine compressor?

• A. Stators
• B. Rotors
• C. Nozzles
• D. Diffusers

Answer: (A)

The air between rows of rotating blades is diffused by the stationary vanes known as the stators. After air is accelerated and given a bit of swirl by a rotor row, the flow would be misaligned and energetic for the next stage. The stator vanes between those rows are shaped to redirect the flow into a more axial direction and to slow it down, converting kinetic energy into static pressure. This diffusion between stages prepares the air for the next rotor, maintaining efficient compression. Rotors add energy to the flow, while nozzles and diffusers play different roles, but the between-rows diffusion specifically comes from the stator vanes.

The air between rows of rotating blades is diffused by the stationary vanes known as the stators. After air is accelerated and given a bit of swirl by a rotor row, the flow would be misaligned and energetic for the next stage. The stator vanes between those rows are shaped to redirect the flow into a more axial direction and to slow it down, converting kinetic energy into static pressure. This diffusion between stages prepares the air for the next rotor, maintaining efficient compression. Rotors add energy to the flow, while nozzles and diffusers play different roles, but the between-rows diffusion specifically comes from the stator vanes.