Intercoolers and aftercoolers both remove heat from compressed air, but they sit in different places and serve different purposes.
Intercooler
- Sits between the stages of a two-stage compressor.
- Cools air before the second compression stage.
- Improves efficiency and reduces temperature.
Aftercooler
- Sits after the final compression stage.
- Cools the air before the tank and dryer.
- Condenses moisture for removal.
Why Both Matter
- Intercooling improves two-stage efficiency.
- Aftercooling protects the system from hot, wet air.
- Both reduce the load on the dryer.
Do single-stage compressors have an intercooler?
No. Intercoolers are only found between stages, so they appear in two-stage machines.
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