Karburatsioonis

Karburatsioonis, often referred to as carburation, is a mechanical process found in internal combustion engines that are not equipped with fuel injection. Its primary function is to mix air and fuel in the correct proportion to create a combustible mixture that can then be ignited in the engine cylinders. The device responsible for this process is the carburetor.

The carburetor works based on the Venturi effect. As air is drawn into the engine's intake manifold, it passes through a constricted section of the carburetor called the Venturi. This constriction causes the air to speed up, which in turn lowers its pressure. The lower pressure in the Venturi then draws fuel from a fuel bowl, which is maintained at atmospheric pressure, through a small opening called a jet. The fuel is atomized as it is drawn into the fast-moving airstream and mixed with it.

The air-fuel mixture is then directed into the engine cylinders. The ratio of air to fuel is crucial for efficient combustion. Too much fuel results in a "rich" mixture, leading to incomplete combustion and wasted fuel, while too little fuel creates a "lean" mixture, which can cause engine overheating and damage. Carburetors typically have mechanisms, such as a throttle valve (controlled by the accelerator pedal), to regulate the amount of air-fuel mixture entering the engine, thus controlling engine speed and power output. Older vehicles and many small engines, like those in motorcycles and lawnmowers, commonly utilize carburetors.