Utókiégetési

Utókiégetési is a Hungarian term that translates to "afterburning" in English. It refers to the process of burning excess fuel in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine or a jet engine. This is often done to reduce the emission of harmful pollutants or to increase thrust. In automotive applications, afterburning can be employed to burn unburnt fuel that has passed through the cylinders, thus lowering emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. This is typically achieved by injecting additional fuel into the hot exhaust gases, which then ignites.

In the context of jet engines, afterburning, also known as reheat, is a more common and significant application. It involves injecting fuel directly into the exhaust nozzle of the engine, downstream of the turbine. This fuel mixes with the hot, oxygen-rich exhaust gases and burns, dramatically increasing the temperature and velocity of the exhaust. The result is a substantial increase in thrust, often used for short periods during takeoff, combat maneuvers, or for achieving supersonic speeds. While it significantly enhances performance, afterburning is also very fuel-intensive and leads to increased noise and emissions. The system is typically engaged by the pilot when maximum performance is required and disengaged when it is not, to conserve fuel.