turbofán

A turbofan is a type of jet engine that is widely used on modern commercial aircraft and some military aircraft. It works by using a large fan at the front of the engine to bypass a significant portion of the air around the core of the engine. This bypass air is accelerated and expelled from the rear of the engine, contributing a large part of the engine's thrust. The remaining air enters the engine core, where it is compressed, mixed with fuel, and ignited in a combustion chamber. The hot exhaust gases then drive a turbine, which in turn powers the fan and the compressor.

The key advantage of a turbofan over a pure turbojet is its improved fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels, particularly at lower speeds. The bypass air, being cooler and moving at a lower velocity than the core exhaust, generates thrust more efficiently. This makes turbofans ideal for passenger aircraft that spend a considerable amount of time flying at subsonic speeds. The ratio of bypass air to core air is known as the bypass ratio, and high-bypass turbofans are common in commercial aviation, while low-bypass turbofans are often found on military fighter jets where a balance between thrust and speed is crucial. Turbofans represent a significant advancement in propulsion technology, enabling longer flights and more economical air travel.