Gas Turbine Research Center

Die Turbinenschaufeln einer Gasturbine
Hier entstehen bei der Stromproduktion enorm hohe Geschwindigkeiten und Temperaturen.
Credit:

Alstom

The DLR gas turbine research and validation test center enables the development of highly flexible and low-emission decentralized, industrial and heavy duty gas turbine technologies using a large variety of renewable gaseous and liquid fuels including hydrogen for a reliable, safe and CO2-neutral energy supply of tomorrow. It consists of compressor, combustor, turbine as well as seal and lifetime test facilities.

The interdisciplinary Gas Turbine Research Centre brings together the expertise of three DLR institutes spanning six locations, working together to further develop modern gas turbine technologies. The DLR Institute of Combustion Technology in Stuttgart analyses fundamental combustion processes and develops sustainable fuels and innovative combustion chamber systems for hydrogen-based and synthetic energy sources. The DLR Institute of Propulsion Technology in Cologne, Göttingen, Berlin and Trauen conducts research into climate-compatible propulsion solutions and gas turbine technologies. It also develops simulation methods and validates components and systems for use in aviation and the energy sector. At the DLR Institute of Gas Turbine Testing and Simulation in Augsburg, secondary engine systems and the lifetimes of components are validated by combining numerical methods and experimental test benches. All of these methods are based on cross-component testing using the GTlab digital ‘virtual engine’ platform.

This cross-sectional collaboration establishes a distinctive research infrastructure. Physical tests, digital simulations and fuel research are systematically linked in order to optimise gas turbines holistically. Access to a wide range of state-of-the-art test facilities of various sizes, as well as digital modelling,  enables research gaps to be closed efficiently, with results transferred quickly into industrial applications, for both individual components and entire systems. This combined expertise establishes the Gas Turbine Research Center at DLR as one of the most powerful and competitive facilities of its kind, both nationally and internationally.

In addition, the collaboration is supported by AG Turbo, a central, long-term platform for turbomachinery research in Germany. Since its establishment, AG Turbo has encouraged collaboration between industry, universities, and research institutes to further develop low-emission, efficient, and fuel-flexible turbomachinery. AG Turbo's scientific coordination office is supported by the DLR.

Gas Turbine Research Center test facilities

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Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sabine Ardey

Acting Director
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Test and Simulation for Gas Turbines

Prof. Dr. Andreas Huber

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

Prof. Dr. Florian Herbst

Institute Director
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Propulsion Technology
Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln