Yes, the temperature in an afterburner is typically higher than in a combustor. An afterburner is a component in some jet engines that is located downstream of the main combustor. Its primary function is to increase the thrust of the engine by injecting and burning additional fuel in the exhaust stream.
During the initial combustion process in the combustor, fuel is mixed with compressed air and ignited. This combustion raises the temperature of the air-fuel mixture, but it is typically limited to a specific temperature range to ensure the engine components remain within their thermal limits. The exact temperature in the combustor can vary depending on the engine design and operating conditions, but it is generally high enough to achieve efficient combustion while avoiding excessive thermal stress on the engine components.
In the afterburner, additional fuel is injected into the exhaust gases downstream of the combustor. The injected fuel mixes with the hot exhaust gases, and a second combustion process occurs. The purpose of this additional combustion is to increase the temperature and energy of the exhaust gases further, resulting in a higher velocity and thrust.
To achieve the desired increase in thrust, the afterburner operates at higher temperatures than the combustor. The afterburner temperature can reach significantly higher levels because it does not have the same limitations as the combustor regarding thermal stress on the engine components. However, the high temperatures in the afterburner also come with increased fuel consumption and reduced overall engine efficiency.
In summary, the temperature in an afterburner is typically higher than in a combustor to maximize thrust, while the combustor temperature is optimized for efficient and controlled combustion without exceeding the thermal limits of the engine components.