Polttoainetihentymä

Polttoainetihentymä, often translated as fuel enrichment or fuel thickening, refers to a process or condition where the proportion of fuel in a mixture with an oxidizer increases beyond the stoichiometric ratio. In internal combustion engines, this means there is more fuel than is theoretically required to burn completely with the available air. Such a condition can be intentionally created, for example, during cold starts or acceleration, to ensure complete combustion and prevent stalling. In some engine control systems, a richer mixture can also be used to help cool the combustion chamber by increasing the amount of fuel that evaporates and absorbs heat.

However, excessively rich fuel mixtures can lead to several undesirable outcomes. Incomplete combustion results in unburned hydrocarbons, which contribute to air pollution. This can also lead to a buildup of carbon deposits on engine components like spark plugs and valves, potentially impairing engine performance and efficiency. Furthermore, a consistently rich mixture can increase fuel consumption and may lead to catalytic converter damage due to overheating from unburned fuel. Modern engine management systems aim to maintain an optimal air-fuel ratio for efficiency, emissions, and performance, dynamically adjusting the mixture based on operating conditions.