Development and Testing of a Gas Turbine Test Rig Setup for Demonstrating New Aviation Propulsion Concepts

Abstract

To further increase efficiency and to significantly reduce climate impact in the aviation sector, new propulsion concepts must be developed. As full electrification in mid- and long-range aviation is impractical due to the low gravimetric energy density of batteries, new approaches must be developed. Therefore, the so-called hybrid electric ground demonstrator (HeBo), equipped with a Rolls Royce M250-C20B gas turbine is set up. The test rig serves as a development platform for various new gas turbine-based propulsion concepts for aviation, such as hybrid electric concepts or a novel cycle concept with steam injection to the combustor, which are described in this paper. The main focus of the work is on the experimental setup and the commissioning of the baseline test rig. This will place the test rig in the context of current research activities and serve as reference for subsequent research results.