On Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:09:02 +0000 (UTC)
Andy Breen wrote:
Not always. You can get a significant power boost by injecting a fine
mist of water into the air intake of an otto-cycle engine (it cools the
fuel/air mix, increasing its density and thus the amount of mix delivered
to the cylinder). Water injection was a hardy perrennial in aero-engines
in the piston-engined days, either for emergency power boost or for take-
off. Also used by the drag-racing boys, of course..

Actually, on reflection, you can use it with diesels too, as a way of
cooling the air charge (after, I think , compression by the supercharger)
and allowing more fuel to be injected per stroke. The Napier Nomad used
water injection for power boost..

Won't the water mix with the NOx produced and produce nitric acid which
will slowly eat away at the engine and exhaust system?

B2003