The Mechanical Engineering Department recently purchased an experimental jet engine for the thermal science laboratory. The MiniLab SR-30 is representative of all straight jet engines which is widely used in aerospace applications. The nominal working power of the engine is 67 hp and produces thrust force of up to 100 lbf at 85,000 rpm. The experimental jet engine consumes Jet A fuel, which is the fuel of small airplanes and was obtained from the Saint Louis Downtown Airport. The new apparatus is now being used in ME410L, Thermal Science Laboratory for the first semester.

Reza Baghaei Lakeh, PhD student and ME410L instructor explains the fundamentals of the jet engines while the experiment is being performed.

The ME410L students study the performance of the experimental jet engine in different working conditions.

The propulsive exhaust flow is felt by the students.