Water injection in engines: in brief

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


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.

Engine Rolls-Royce Merlin
Rolls Royce Merlin engine.

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

Read also:  Elf Aquazole: a water-diesel fuel

mechanical injector controller for alcoholic water injection


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 fuel-water injector with electronic regulation
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:

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Read 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.

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