Research LaboratoriesTHT Lab - Laboratory of Technology for High Temperature

THT Lab - Laboratory of Technology for High Temperature

The THT-Lab (Laboratory of Technology for High Temperature), located at the DIEF site in Calenzano ([link posizione]), hosts the infrastructure required for the experimental activities of the HTC Group, mainly focused on the study of heat transfer and combustion phenomena in turbomachinery. The laboratory includes four main facilities:

Low TRL test cell (TRL 2–3)

• Ambient pressure and temperature
• Flow rates up to 2 kg/s through a double-stage centrifugal fan (90 kW)

Medium-high temperature test cell (TRL 4)

• Pressure up to 10 bar; temperature up to 450 °C via an electric heater (600 kW)
• Flow rates up to 1 kg/s through two screw compressors (250 kW)

Combustion test cell (TRL 5-6)

• Pressure up to 10 bar; flow rates up to 1 kg/s through two screw compressors (250 kW)
• Capability to test various types of fuels, as liquid fuels, natural gas, hydrogen

Rotating test rigs cell

• Rotating rig for the study of stator/rotor cavities and sealing systems (3000 rpm)
• Rotating rig for the study of high-speed gearbox housings with lubrication (6000 rpm)
• Rotating rig for the study of cooling systems for scaled-up turbine blades (300 rpm)

A second low-TRL testing facility is located at the School of Engineering site. (Colonne Lab).

The laboratory is also equipped with the necessary instrumentation for experimental characterization, including surface temperature measurement systems (infrared thermographic cameras, thermochromic liquid crystals), laser velocimetry (PIV), hot wire anemometry and pneumatic probes for flow and turbulence measurements, high-speed cameras (up to 200 kHz), laser-based combustion diagnostics systems (OH* chemiluminescence).

Finally, the laboratory includes dedicated areas for joint research programs with industrial partners, such as the ComHeat Lab, a joint laboratory between DIEF and Avio Aero.