Proceedings of GT2006 ASME Turbo Expo 2006: Power for Land, Sea and Air May 8-11, 2006, Barcelona, Spain GT2006-90357 A VIRTUAL LABORATORY FOR EDUCATION ON GAS TURBINE PRINCIPLES AND OPERATION K. Mathioudakis Associate Professor Laboratory of Thermal Turbomachines National Technical University of Athens PO BOX 64069, Athens 15710, Greece kmathiou@central.ntua.gr N. Aretakis Research Associate Laboratory of Thermal Turbomachines, National Technical University of Athens naret@central.ntua.gr P. Kotsiopoulos Professor and Dean Hellenic Air Force Academy Department of Aeronautical Sciences Thermodynamics, Propulsion and Energetics Section petkot@central.ntua.gr E. A. Yfantis Professor and Dean Hellenic Naval Academy Department of Naval Sciences Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Section yfantis@hna.gr ABSTRACT A software package created for educating engineering students on the principles of gas turbines is presented. It starts from the presentation of basic material on the principles of gas turbine components operation (turbomachinery, combustion chambers, inlets, exhausts). The usual textbook material is supported by audiovisual material that enhances the student's ability to assimilate the principles taught. Computational tools are included, allowing the execution of design studies as well as performance simulations, for a wide range of gas turbine types. Both aircraft and land based gas turbines are covered. A user friendly interface allows the execution of calculations, whose results can be presented in a variety of formats, with the help of a flexible graphical user interface. A number of specific engines have been chosen to be represented, one of the reasons for this choice being that the package in its current form is primarily intended for use by air force and naval academy students, expected to come in contact with the specific engines employed by the corresponding organizations. Finally, a number of laboratory exercises are included. The exercises are performed in a way that is a reproduction of actual laboratory tests. The software employs audio-visual effects, including videos and other animations, to support the instruction of gas turbine principles, and is implemented in a classroom specifically designed for this purpose. The audiovisual effects are employed to transfer the actual physical reality into the classroom, creating thus the virtual environment. INTRODUCTION Present day computer capabilities and software development provide great possibilities for education. Advantages are clearer for complex engineering systems like gas turbines. A further aspect of educational use is the possibility of materializing a more effective educational process. The Mechanical Engineering educator is faced with the challenge of following increasing demands rising from implementation of advanced new technologies. Increased specialized knowledge is required by young engineers from a highly competitive environment. The educator must provide them with the supplies which will allow them to respond to these demands and contribute to the progress and growth of the society they are members. Time and means for education are thus limited and therefore they must be used in an optimized manner. Computer assisted teaching comes to provide tools to increase teaching efficiency and fulfill such requirements. The importance of using the possibilities of modern technologies and computers for achieving a better education in matters related to gas turbines and their components, in particular, has become apparent. Several authors have dealt with 1 Copyright © 2006 by ASME Proceedings of GT2006 ASME Turbo Expo 2006: Power for Land, Sea and Air May 8-11, 2006, Barcelona, Spain GT2006-90357