What are intercoolers?

• A. Cool gas between stages.
• B. Cool gas after final stage.
• C. Warm gas between stages.
• D. Remove water from gas.

Answer: (A)

Intercoolers are heat exchangers placed between stages of a multi-stage compressor to cool the gas after it’s compressed and before it enters the next stage. Cooling the gas between stages lowers its temperature, which reduces the work required by the next compression stage, increases the density of the gas for that stage, and helps protect equipment from excessive heat. This setup improves overall compressor efficiency and lowers discharge temperature. The other ideas describe cooling after the final stage, cooling warm gas instead of cooling between stages, or removing water, which is a dehydration function rather than intercooling.