What happens to kinetic energy in an axial flow compressor?

• A. Kinetic energy is converted into pressure
• B. Kinetic energy is converted into velocity
• C. Kinetic energy is dissipated as heat
• D. Kinetic energy remains constant

Answer: (A)

In an axial flow compressor, the blades transfer energy from the rotating shaft to the air, increasing the air’s total energy. After the rotor adds energy, the downstream stator vanes slow the flow, converting most of that extra kinetic energy into higher static pressure. In other words, the compressor uses work input to raise pressure, not to keep the gas moving faster. That’s why the main outcome is a pressure rise due to the conversion of kinetic energy into pressure (and a rise in temperature as part of the enthalpy increase). While there are some losses and some residual velocity changes, the intended and dominant effect is pressure increase, not simply increasing velocity or dissipating energy as heat.