Jälkipolttomenetelmissä

Jälkipolttomenetelmissä, often translated as afterburning or reheat, refers to a technique used in certain types of jet engines, most notably in military aircraft. The primary purpose of afterburning is to significantly increase the thrust produced by the engine for a limited period. This is achieved by injecting additional fuel directly into the exhaust stream of the engine, downstream of the turbine but before the nozzle.

The hot exhaust gases from the core engine provide the necessary oxygen for this fuel to combust. The injected fuel burns, further increasing the temperature and velocity of the exhaust gases. This results in a substantial, albeit temporary, boost in thrust. This increased thrust is particularly useful for applications requiring rapid acceleration, such as take-off from short runways, supersonic flight, or combat maneuvers.

However, afterburning comes with significant drawbacks. The fuel consumption rate increases dramatically when the afterburner is engaged, leading to a rapid depletion of fuel reserves and a considerable reduction in range. Additionally, the extreme temperatures and pressures generated during afterburning place greater stress on engine components, potentially reducing their lifespan. The noise levels also increase substantially when the afterburner is active. Due to these limitations, afterburning is typically used only when maximum performance is absolutely essential, and not for routine flight operations.