How can more power be produced with the same amount of fuel in an engine?

Increasing the compression ratio in an engine allows for more power to be produced from the same amount of fuel due to improved thermal efficiency. When the compression ratio is increased, the air-fuel mixture is compressed to a smaller volume before ignition, which significantly raises the pressure and temperature of the mixture. This results in a more efficient combustion process, leading to a greater expansion of gases during the power stroke. As a consequence, the engine can extract more energy from the combustion of the same quantity of fuel, thereby producing more power.

In many modern engines, especially those designed to optimize performance, higher compression ratios can also facilitate better fuel utilization, allowing for more complete combustion. This means that for every molecule of fuel burned, there is a greater release of energy compared to engines with lower compression ratios. Additionally, higher compression ratios can take advantage of higher octane fuels, which resist knocking and allow for even more performance potential.

It is essential to balance compression ratios with engine design and fuel type, as excessively high compression can lead to knocking, which can damage the engine. However, within the designed spec and operational limits, increasing the compression ratio is a proven method to enhance power output efficiently.