Overview of the different applications of water injection in turbocharged and non-turbocharged heat engines

1) During World War 2ieme

Incredibly complex and turbocharged this V-12 engine had to take off in never ideal conditions. These extreme conditions made it necessary to find solutions to exploit the maximum power of an engine, especially when it was an aircraft engine. It was often a matter of life and death. It was then that the technology of water-alcohol injection (alcoholic water) was developed ... To find out more, click here.

Wright Cyclone engine

This research was carried out by people like Sir Harry Ricardo, researchers at NACA Langley and all the aeronautical engine engineers during this period of war.

Rolls Royce Merlin engine.

Very interesting documents validating the use of water injection are available. These are the NACA publications August 1942 and September 1944. The conclusions are still valid today!

Diagram of a mechanical regulator for injecting alcoholic water (water + methanol) designed more than 60 years ago.

2) In current marine engines

Large industrial diesel engines currently use water injection systems to reduce their emissions. There are several advantages to injecting water in order to cool the combustion temperature. Companies currently developing this technology are Wartsila et Cummins.

Diagram of a diesel-water injector with electronic regulation.

3) What to remember about water injection

The main conclusions regarding the use of water in heat engines are as follows:

• The injection of water increases the octane number of the mixture.
• The water injection allows the increase of the effective average pressure with a reduced specific consumption.

On the same subject :

• The Kyoto Protocol: the complete and complete text
• Water injection in Daimler Benz engines on Messerschmitt aircraft
• Solar thermal energy analyzes in France
• Bioethanol: paradox France Brazil
• The 2 stroke direct injection engines
• Biofuel issues pure oils
• Pollution new technologies: computers, internet, hi-tech ... 2
• SEA: the solutions?
• Pollution: wet combustion in Beijing to fight SMOG, NOx and CO
• The global geoengineering
• The injection has a cooling effect of the internal parts of the engine (piston and cylinder).
• Water injection does not provide fuel economy when fuel is not being used to its thermochemical limits.
• In extreme conditions, the injected water can dilute with the lubricating oil and cause damage.

Discover more

- Water injection into the Messerschmitt.
- Water injection by emulsification for marine engines.
- The key points
- Aquazole developed by Elf.
- Report NACA 1942.
- Report NACA 1944.