A stage in an axial flow compressor consists of what two main components?

In an axial flow compressor, a stage is primarily composed of two key components: the rotor blades and the stator. The rotor blades are responsible for drawing in air and imparting energy to it through rotational motion, which increases the air's pressure and kinetic energy. As the air moves past the rotor, it then passes through the stator, which consists of stationary blades that further guide and diffuse the airflow, transforming some of the kinetic energy into pressure energy.

This interaction between the rotor and stator is crucial for efficient compressor operation, as it continuously compresses the air through multiple stages, enhancing overall performance. The combination of these two components enables the compressor to effectively increase the pressure of the incoming air before it proceeds to the combustion stage in a gas turbine engine.