Research infrastructure

With its exceptional infrastructure of optically accessible combustion chamber test benches and chemical laboratories, the institute is well equipped for the task of analysing elementary combustion processes under real conditions, understanding them in detail and analysing both.

Chemical Analysis

By characterising fuels in terms of their chemical composition and thermophysical properties, the Chemical Kinetics and Analytics department creates the basis for investigating the influence of fuel composition on combustion and emission behaviour.

Reaction kinetics experiments

The experimental observation of the chemical reactions that take place is the basis for a fundamental understanding of the combustion of all fuels and combustibles.

Mobile measuring laboratory

How good is the air in our cities and in the region? How can we improve our air quality and thus our quality of life?

High Performance Computing Infrastructure

The Institute uses various high-performance computing clusters to carry out the flow and combustion simulations, some of which are extremely complex.

Hybrid-electric ground demonstrator (HeBo)

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

Micro gas turbine systems

The institute has several micro gas turbine systems for research work in connection with the topics of decentralised power/heat supply and the development of jet-stabilised combustion chamber systems with recirculation.

Large-scale research facility shock tube

The shock tube facility at the DLR Institute of Combustion Technology in Stuttgart can be used to heat and compress ignitable gaseous mixtures to combustion-relevant temperatures and pressures in microseconds.

Large-scale research facility Research Power Plant

Innovative, fuel-flexible and low-emission decentralised power plant concepts are developed and constructed as demonstration plants in the research power plant.

Optical and laser based diagnostics

Modern laser diagnostics provide completely new insights into the complex physico-chemical processes that occur during combustion.

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. 

Combustion test benches

The institute offers several combustion test benches of different sizes for the development and investigation of combustion chamber systems and research into combustion phenomena.