Hybrid-electric ground demonstrator (HeBo)

Rolls-Royce M250 gas turbine in test rig setup
The Rolls-Royce M250 gas turbine makes it possible to experimentally test new concepts for aircraft gas turbines.
Image: 1/2, Credit:
Rolls-Royce M250 gas turbine - inlet air calming chamber
The calming chamber in front of the inlet of the Rolls-Royce M250 gas turbine makes it possible to determine the air mass flow precisely.
Image: 2/2, Credit:

Based on a Rolls-Royce engine, the institute has a test rig at its disposal as a development platform for innovative aviation propulsion concepts.

The test rig is based on a twin-shaft helicopter gas turbine (Rolls-Royce M250-C20B) with 300 kW shaft power. This was coupled with a generator-converter unit and modified to form a high-power density generator set. This enables the test bench to generate high-voltage DC voltage directly. The modular design of the engine also makes the entire system highly variable with regard to the integration and testing of new circuit components.

This complex but extremely flexible system is used to investigate new, gas turbine-based aviation propulsion concepts such as hybrid-electric flight or to systematically carry out concept demonstrations of new types of cycle concepts with partners such as MTU Aero Engines.

Technical facts about the HeBo test stand:

Infrastructure, Measurement technology

Characteristic values, Equipment

Gas turbine model

Rolls-Royce M250-C20B (twin shaft)

Combustion chamber pressure

7,2 bar(a)

Air mass flow @ nominal speed N1

1,542 kg/s

Maximum shaft power (5min)

313 kW

Output voltage

450 - 800 VDC

Rated speed

N1max (gas generator): 50.970 1/min

N2Nenn (load turbine): 33.290 1/min

Power density incl. generator + inverter

2,65 kW/kg

Temperature sensors

~ 60

Pressure sensors

~ 35

Links

Technology Platform Decentralised Energies (TPDE)

The Technology Platform Decentralised Energies (TPDE) was created to test and further develop fuel- and load-flexible micro gas turbines for combined heat and power plants. 

Contact

Dr. Peter Kutne

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Combustion Technology
Microturbines
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart