PreVerbrennung

PreVerbrennung is a German term that translates to "pre-combustion" in English. It refers to the initial stages of burning a fuel before the main combustion process takes place. This phase is crucial in many combustion applications as it prepares the fuel for efficient and complete burning.

In the context of internal combustion engines, pre-combustion refers to the period where the fuel-air mixture begins to ignite before the spark plug fires or before the auto-ignition temperature is reached for diesel engines. This can involve a small, localized flame front that propagates through the mixture, influencing the subsequent main combustion event. Careful control of pre-combustion is important for optimizing engine performance, reducing emissions, and preventing unwanted phenomena like knocking.

In the broader field of combustion technology, pre-combustion can also describe processes in industrial furnaces, boilers, or gas turbines. Here, it might involve preliminary heating or partial oxidation of the fuel to improve its combustion characteristics. This can include stages like pyrolysis, where fuel is heated in the absence of oxygen, breaking down into more volatile and combustible components. The goal is often to ensure a more stable and efficient burn, leading to higher energy yields and lower pollutant formation. Understanding and managing pre-combustion phenomena is a key aspect of modern combustion engineering.