What element in the compressor section is responsible for compressing air at each stage?

The correct answer is the Compressor Rotor. In a gas turbine engine, the compressor section is composed of multiple stages, each designed to progressively compress the incoming air before it enters the combustion chamber. The Compressor Rotor is a crucial component because it is equipped with blades that are specifically designed to accelerate and compress the air as it passes through the compressor stages.

As the rotor spins, it imparts kinetic energy to the air, which increases the air’s pressure as well as its temperature. This process is vital for enhancing the efficiency and performance of the engine since higher pressure air leads to better combustion conditions once it reaches the combustion chamber.

The other components mentioned have distinct roles. The Compressor Stator, for instance, is positioned downstream of the rotor blades and helps to direct the airflow in a manner that optimizes the overall efficiency of air compression; however, it does not compress air itself. The Air Inlet is responsible for guiding ambient air into the compressor but does not alter air pressure. The Diffuser functions to decelerate and diffuse the air before it enters the combustion section while further increasing its pressure, but it does not compress the air during its operation. Thus, the Rotor is the element that directly performs the act of compression in the compressor section.