Question 58Motor Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is D) lube oil carbonization. Intercoolers installed on starting air compressors help reduce the temperature of the compressed air between the stages of the compressor. This lower temperature helps prevent lube oil carbonization, which can occur when the oil is exposed to high temperatures during the compression process. Carbonization can lead to the formation of deposits and sludge, which can negatively impact the performance and reliability of the compressor. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the primary function of an intercooler in a starting air compressor system. Interstage vapor lock, discharge pulsations, and dust entry are not the main reasons for installing an intercooler in this application.