Õhkkütuse

Õhkkütuse, often translated as air-fuel mixture, refers to the precise ratio of air and fuel vaporized or atomized that is necessary for efficient combustion in internal combustion engines. The ideal ratio, known as the stoichiometric ratio, is the amount of air that contains just enough oxygen to completely burn all the fuel present. For gasoline, this ratio is approximately 14.7 parts of air to 1 part of fuel by mass.

Deviations from the stoichiometric ratio can impact engine performance and emissions. A rich mixture has more fuel than air, leading to incomplete combustion and potentially increased hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, though it can provide more power. A lean mixture has less fuel than air, resulting in more complete combustion and lower hydrocarbon emissions, but can lead to higher nitrogen oxide emissions and potential engine overheating if too lean.

Modern engines use sophisticated electronic control units (ECUs) and oxygen sensors to continuously monitor and adjust the air-fuel mixture in real-time. This allows for optimized performance, fuel economy, and reduced pollutant emissions across various operating conditions, such as idling, acceleration, and cruising. The development of precise air-fuel mixture control has been a critical factor in the evolution of cleaner and more efficient internal combustion engines.