Water injection (engine)

Water injection was used historically to increase the power output of military aviation engines for short durations, such as during aerial combat or takeoff.

The water provides the primary cooling effect due to its great density and high heat absorption properties.

[3] Notable engine with water fuel injection: BMW 801, Daimler-Benz DB 605, Junkers Jumo 213, Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp.

[4] Prior to the widespread adoption of afterburning engines, some first-generation jet fighters used water injection to provide a moderate boost in performance.

[7] In 1978, Olympic Airways Flight 411 had to abort and return to its take-off airport due to a failure of the water injection system or its processes.

[8] A limited number of road vehicles with forced induction engines from manufacturers such as Chrysler have included water injection.

[10] As per BMW example, current engine developments featuring water injection seem to concentrate on the effect of “Performance Improvement”.

But by the mid 2020s, engine development will shift focus also on improved fuel consumption, due to the pressure on CO2 emissions reduction and related regulations.

Today the manufacture claims up to 5% increase in engine performance, up to 4% decrease in CO2 emissions and up to 13% improvement in fuel economy.

[15] Surveys asking customers about their willingness to regularly fill up an additional operating fluid have demonstrated that the acceptance level is limited.