Jälkipoltossa

Jälkipoltossa is a Finnish term that translates to "afterburner" in English. It refers to a secondary combustion stage used in certain types of engines to increase thrust or power output. This technology is most commonly associated with jet engines, where it can significantly boost acceleration or provide a temporary surge of power for demanding maneuvers like takeoff or combat.

In a jet engine, the main combustion process occurs in the combustion chamber, where fuel is mixed with compressed air and ignited. After the exhaust gases leave the turbine, they can be further injected with fuel in the afterburner section. This fuel ignites and burns the remaining oxygen in the exhaust gases, dramatically increasing the temperature and velocity of the exhaust stream. This results in a substantial increase in thrust, although it comes at the cost of significantly higher fuel consumption.

The use of afterburners is typically limited to situations where maximum performance is required due to their inefficiency. Military aircraft frequently employ afterburners for rapid acceleration and evasive maneuvers. Some high-performance civilian aircraft, particularly those designed for supersonic flight, have also incorporated afterburner technology. The activation of an afterburner is usually accompanied by a characteristic visual effect, often a bright flame extending from the engine nozzle.