HowStuffWorks "How Gas Turbine Engines Work"

Video Center

Maps

Page 1

Consumer Guide: Auto Reviews | Product Reviews

Make HSW your homepage | Get Newsletter | RSS |

Random Article

Search HowStuffWorks and the web

Home Adventure Animals Auto Communication Computer Electronics Entertainment Food Geography Health History
Home & Garden Money People Science
Earth Science Engineering Everyday Science Life Science Military Physical Scie
Home > Science > Engineering > Aviation > Modern

Next Page

How Gas Turbine Engines

Work

Science Videos

by Marshall Brain
Print

Email

Cite

Feedback

Share

Inside this Article

1. Introduction to How Gas
Turbine Engines Work

4. The Gas Turbine Process

2. Types of Turbines

6. The Turbine

3. Advantages and
Disadvantages of Jet
Engines

More Science Videos

5. Combustion Area

See more

When you go to an airport and see the commercial jets there, you can't help but notice the huge engines
that power them. Most commercial jets are powered by turbofan engines, and turbofans are one example
of a general class of engines called gas turbine engines.
Airplane Image Gallery

http://science.howstuffworks.com/turbine.htm

11/17/2008 08:45:24 PM

HowStuffWorks "How Gas Turbine Engines Work"

Page 2

Tim Graham/Getty Images

Jet engines on the assembly line. See more airplane pictures.

You may have never heard of gas turbine engines, but they are used in all kinds of unexpected places.
For example, many of the helicopters you see, a lot of smaller power plants and even the M-1 Tank use
gas turbines. In this article, we will look at gas turbine engines to see what makes them tick!

Flying Heavy Metal: Jet Race 2

Check out this clip, as Bruce explains the advantage of the jet over the prop.
(May 16)
More Science Videos
More Discovery Videos

http://science.howstuffworks.com/turbine.htm

11/17/2008 08:45:24 PM

HowStuffWorks "How Gas Turbine Engines Work"

Page 3

Search for Gas Turbine at Alibaba - the worlds largest online base of suppliers
and importers.
Related Products:
Gas Tubes

Gas Turbine Filter

Gas Turbine

Gas Tube Arrester

Engines
Gas Turbine
Generator

Next Page
Ads by Google
PT6, JT15, PW100 Engines
Pratt & Whitney Turbo Prop Engines BIAero, LLC Global Distribution
www.biaero.com
New Scientist - Save 40%
Official gift subscription site - free Calendar with annual orders!
www.NewScientist.com/Gift
Aircraft Mechanic
Study in the USA Aviation Institute of Maintenance
www.AviationMaintenance.edu

Inside this Article

7. Gas Turbine Variations

1. Introduction to How Gas Turbine Engines

Work

8. Thrust Basics

2. Types of Turbines

9. Jet Engine Thrust

3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Jet

Engines

10. Lots More Information

11. See all Modern articles

4. The Gas Turbine Process

5. Combustion Area
6. The Turbine

D
i
g
g

thumbs-up

buzz more

Stumble!

submit

digg more

Related Ad Categories
Gas Turbine Generator
Hydro Turbines

http://science.howstuffworks.com/turbine.htm

Combustion Turbine
Science Fair Projects

11/17/2008 08:45:24 PM

HowStuffWorks "How Gas Turbine Engines Work"

Page 4

Turbine Part

Ads by Google
Turbine testing
Vibration measurement and modal analysis
www.optonor.com
PT6A Engines Direct
ATS is a licensed FAA CRS Buy / Sell / Trade /
Exchange
www.pt6a.aero
Surplus Power Generators
Hundreds of quality new and used generators from
25kw to 10mw.
www.turnkeyelectric.com

http://science.howstuffworks.com/turbine.htm

11/17/2008 08:45:24 PM

HowStuffWorks "How Gas Turbine Engines Work"

Page 5

Related Content
Explanations
How Airplanes Work
How Rocket Engines Work
How Car Engines Work

Prices: Gas Turbine Engine Books

Jack L. Kerrebrock Aircraft Engines and Gas
Turbines
Release Date: June 01,
1992

http://science.howstuffworks.com/turbine.htm

11/17/2008 08:45:24 PM

HowStuffWorks "How Gas Turbine Engines Work"

Page 6

$51 - $66

C. Coulson Pounder Pounder's Marine Diesel

Engines and Gas
Turbines
Release Date: January 29,
2004
$142 - $142

Irwin E. Treager - Aircraft

Gas Turbine Engine
Technology
Release Date: December
01, 1995
$80 - $84

Search HowStuffWorks and the web

Home | Adventure | Animals | Auto | Communication | Computer | Electronics | Entertainment | Food | Geography | Health | History |
Home & Garden | Money | People | Science

www.RebelSimCard.com

Feedback - Ads by Google

Company Info | Advertise With Us | Newsletter | Careers | Privacy | Contact Us | Help | Visitor Agreement | RSS
HowStuffWorks | HSW Brazil | HSW China
1998-2008 HowStuffWorks, Inc.
Discovery Communications, LLC | Discovery Channel | TLC | Animal Planet | Discovery Health | Science Channel | Planet Green |
Discovery Kids
Petfinder | TreeHugger | Military Channel | Investigation Discovery | HD Theater | FitTV | Turbo
ATTENTION! We recently updated our privacy policy. The changes are effective as of Thursday, October 30, 2008.
To see the new policy, click [here]. Questions? See the policy for the contact information.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/turbine.htm

11/17/2008 08:45:24 PM