Which is more advanced, turbojet or turbofan?
2 Answers
Compared with turbojet engines, turbofan engines have higher thermal efficiency and lower fuel consumption, so they can obtain a larger thrust-to-weight ratio. The following is a related introduction about engines: Concept: An engine (Engine) is a machine that can convert other forms of energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines (reciprocating piston engines), external combustion engines (Stirling engines, steam engines, etc.), jet engines, electric motors, etc. For example, internal combustion engines usually convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. Classification: Internal combustion engines, external combustion engines, external combustion engines, that is, fuel burns outside the engine, gas turbines, jet engines.
This question reminds me of my past research on the history of aircraft engine development. Turbojets and turbofans each have their suitable applications, but if we're talking about which is more advanced, it's definitely the turbofan engine. Look at modern airliners—they almost exclusively use turbofans. Its biggest advantage is the massive fan added in front of the engine, which sucks in large amounts of air and splits it into two streams: one enters the core for combustion to generate thrust, while the other bypasses directly through the outer duct to produce additional thrust. This reduces fuel consumption by nearly 30% compared to older turbojets and significantly lowers noise levels, making it particularly ideal for civil aircraft cruising at around Mach 0.8. Of course, turbojets still hold an advantage when military aircraft pursue extreme speeds, but even fifth-generation fighters now employ low-bypass turbofans. Ultimately, true advancement means simultaneously meeting economic efficiency, noise control, and thrust requirements.
