Pump Tests
Pump Tests
With its pump testing infrastructure, the FPT enables research into cryogenic fuel pumps that can be tested under relevant operating conditions.
The Future Propulsion Test Facility (FPT) focuses on the development and testing of high-performance pump systems for liquid hydrogen (LH2) – a key technology for climate-compatible aviation. Since hydrogen only condenses at an extreme temperature of -253 °C, its distribution from the tank to the engine places the highest demands on materials and technology.
These new challenges are being met with a holistic approach. With its infrastructure for pump testing, the FPT enables validation campaigns, which are supported by the experienced team with process simulations. In addition, simulation tools are being developed that optimize the design of the LH2 pumps as a ‘digital twin’ and are compared with measurement results. This comparison and the optimization of the simulation-based design require a high resolution of the physical processes within the technology carriers. To this end, additional institute expertise is being pooled for the innovative development of minimally invasive optical measurement technology. The combination of this three-pronged approach positions the FPT as a modular test field with unique capabilities in the market.
The infrastructure required for testing is part of the DLR's Future Propulsion Test Facility and supplies the technology demonstrator with the cryogenic media LH2 & LN2, gaseous media (GH2, GN2, GHe), with conditioned compressed air, demineralised water and electrical power. In addition, an experienced team helps to carry out the projects efficiently. Thanks to its modular design the test bench is available for cross-industry innovation exchange in aviation, energy and marine applications.
Characteristics of the test bed
- Simulation-based validation
- Development for optical measurement technology
- Cross-industry for aviation, marine, energy
Research Topics
- Validation of innovative concepts for hydrogen conditioning: Testing and measuring prototypes to evaluate performance, efficiency, characteristic maps, as well as cavitation, leakage and wear properties
- Creation of data sets for the development of new analysis and design methods
- Experimental validation of analysis and optimization methods for the further development of more precise simulation and calculation methods
Media | LH2, LN2 |
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Pressure | up to 16 bar(g) - Higher pressures up to 100 bar(g) on request |
Mass flows | up to 170 g/s - Higher mass flows up to 350 g/s on request |
Temperature | up to -253 °C - Sub-cooling on request |
Media | GH2, GN2, GHe |
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Pressure | up to 250 bar(g) |
Mass flows | up to 500 g/s |
Temperature | up to 250 °C |
Medium | Demineralised Water |
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Pressure | up to 160 bar(g) |
Mass flows | up to 500 g/s |
Temperature | up to 250 °C |
