In a typical two-stage, low pressure air compressor, what is the path of air?

In a typical two-stage, low-pressure air compressor, the path of air follows a sequence that ensures efficient compression and cooling. The process begins at the air filter, which cleans the incoming air by removing contaminants, dust, and moisture. This clean air then enters the low-pressure (LP) cylinder, where it is first compressed.

Once the air is compressed in the LP cylinder, it moves through the intercooler, a component designed to cool the compressed air before it enters the high-pressure (HP) cylinder. Cooling the air is crucial as it prevents overheating and increases overall efficiency when the air is compressed further in the HP cylinder. After passing through the intercooler, the now-cooled air enters the HP cylinder for the final stage of compression.

This sequence—from the air filter to the LP cylinder, then to the intercooler, and finally to the HP cylinder—is essential for maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the compression cycle in a two-stage compressor.