1. Intake: Air enters the engine through the intake, which is designed to capture as much air as possible and direct it into the engine.
2. Compression: The air is then compressed by the compressor section of the engine. The compressor consists of rotating blades that increase the air pressure and density, raising its energy level.
3. Fuel Injection and Combustion: The high-pressure air is mixed with fuel in the combustion chamber. The fuel, usually in the form of kerosene, is injected into the air using fuel nozzles. An igniter generates a spark to initiate combustion, causing the fuel and air mixture to burn rapidly, releasing a large amount of heat and energy.
4. Turbine: The hot, high-pressure gases produced by combustion flow through the turbine section. The turbine consists of rows of turbine blades that are connected to the compressor. As the hot gases pass over the turbine blades, they cause them to rotate.
5. Thrust Generation: The rotation of the turbine is used to drive the compressor and generate thrust. The high-velocity exhaust gases leaving the turbine are directed out through the exhaust nozzle. The acceleration of the exhaust gases and the principle of conservation of momentum produce thrust, propelling the aircraft forward.
6. Bypass Ratio: Turbofan engines, which are commonly used in modern aircraft, have a bypass ratio. In these engines, a portion of the incoming air bypasses the combustion chamber and flows directly to the exhaust nozzle. This helps improve fuel efficiency by reducing the amount of air that needs to be compressed and heated in the combustion process.
In summary, jet engines work by compressing air, mixing it with fuel, and burning the mixture to generate hot, high-pressure gases. The expansion of these gases through the turbine produces thrust, allowing the aircraft to overcome drag and move forward through the air.
