What is the Aircraft Engine Exhaust System?
In the modern world, many aircraft create flight through the combustion of fuel and air mixtures within the aircraft engine. While these hot, rapidly expanding gases are what allow for aircraft to sustain heavier-than-air flight, it is critical that there is also a system in place to manage and expel them. With the aircraft engine exhaust system, combustion gases can be safely ejected from the plane, as well as used to power or drive various aerospace parts.
For reciprocating aircraft engines, the two most widely used aircraft exhaust systems are the short stack and collector system. In general, the short stack system is most often used for aircraft with low powered engines or those that are non-supercharged. The collector system, on the other hand, is very beneficial for turbosupercharged engines, as well as larger non-supercharged systems. Turbosupercharged engines find the most benefit from collector systems due their need for exhaust gases for the turbine to be driven. While the short stack aircraft engine exhaust system is still in use, the collector system serves as the most widely used type between the two.
To collect the exhaust gases after combustion of the fuel and air mixture, the collector system features exhaust headers that bring gases into a collector tube. To connect the collector tubes to the down-stack of each cylinder, a ring clamp may be used alongside locknuts. Within the collector tube, one outlet allows the exhaust gas to be transferred to the turbosupercharger so that the turbine may be driven. Back pressure is a negative side effect of collector system operation, but the power that is provided by the turbine is enough to counteract the horsepower loss caused by increased pressure.
As previously mentioned, the turbine of an engine can be powered through the use of exhaust gases. Turbines are a section of gas turbine engines that produce electricity, as well as provide pressurized air for the combustion section of the engine. As gases are passed through the turbine, the force from exhaust causes the aerofoil blades to rotate at high speeds, causing electricity to be generated mechanically. As the turbine spins, the compressor rotates in unison, increasing the pressure of incoming air for better ignition.
Beyond being used to drive a turbine for power, the exhaust gases and aircraft engine exhaust system also provides for other important uses, such as heating. During winter flying, the exhaust system may also serve as a cabin heater with a heat exchanger. In regards to single-engine aircraft, exhaust shroud heating systems are utilized which use exhaust gases to warm air. Once the temperature of air is sufficiently increased by exhaust, it is transferred into the cabin through a firewall heater valve. Despite the danger of exhaust gases to individuals, cabin heater systems employ strict inspections and operations to ensure safety compliance.
While exhaust gases are highly beneficial for providing thrust for flight, they also prove beneficial for a wide variety of systems due to their ability to be harnessed for heat, electricity, and more. When it comes time to begin sourcing the aircraft engine exhaust system components and other aerospace parts that you need for your operations, NSN Supplies has you covered with everything you are searching for. NSN Supplies is owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, and we can help you find the aviation, NSN, and electronic parts that you are searching for, new or obsolete. As a premier supplier of parts for the aerospace, civil aviation, and defense industries, we're always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7x365. ASAP Semiconductor is an FAA 0056B accredited and AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015 certified enterprise. For a quick and competitive quote, email us at sales@nsn-supplies.com or call us at +1-714-705-4780.
Share
