Jet Engine for Small Scale Energy (JESSE): Power Generation for the Developing World

Abstract

We endeavored to construct a small-scale engine; which if successful, could have big consequences. In spite of growing global concerns about the consumption of fossil fuels, we still believe conscientious use can transform the difficult lives of individuals living in the developing world. In the interest of providing a compact, reliable energy source; we set out to construct a simple jet engine capable of providing useful power. As the basis of our engine, we used an affordable and commercially available turbocharger—a simple idea explored by a previous thesis. We built upon this solid foundation through thorough research on turbojet design and construction. We focused our efforts on engineering a combustor that was both efficient and robust. To complete the engine, we implemented the most aerodynamically clean diffuser and reducer possible with the tools available to us. Furthermore, we strove to minimize leaks and losses that can undermine the performance of our engine. At the heart of our design was simplicity and functionality. Components were created such that they could be disassembled and replaced with basic tools and minimal expense. The result of our efforts was an imperfect but effective means of generating power; a self-sustaining jet engine that is compact and portable.