What role does the combustion chamber serve in a gas turbine engine?

The combustion chamber in a gas turbine engine plays a crucial role in the overall operation of the engine by mixing fuel with the compressed air and igniting the mixture. This process is essential as it generates the high-temperature gases required to drive the turbine. When air enters the combustion chamber, it has already been compressed by the compressor section of the gas turbine. The addition of fuel into the chamber mixes with this compressed air, and when ignited by spark plugs or other means, produces a rapid expansion of hot gases. These high-energy gases then exit the combustion chamber and accelerate through the turbine, providing the thrust necessary for propulsion.

This function is vital because it transforms the chemical energy in the fuel into thermal energy, which then becomes kinetic energy as the gases expand and exit the engine. This process is central to how gas turbine engines operate, making the combustion chamber a key component in ensuring efficient and effective energy conversion.