Introduction and Commissioning of the New Darmstadt Transonic Compressor Test Facility

Abstract

Abstract With the well-known Transonic Compressor Darmstadt (TCD) in operation since 1994, profound knowledge in designing and operating a sophisticated test-rig is available at the Institute of Gas Turbines and Aerospace Propulsion of TU Darmstadt. During this period, TCD has been subject to a vast number of redesigns within different measurement campaigns (see [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]). To expand the capabilities and ensure a sustainable process of compressor research, a new test facility was designed and built by the institute. The new test rig Transonic Compressor Darmstadt 2 (TCD2) features increased power for higher pressure ratios and higher mass-flow, a state of the art control system, increased flexibility towards different compressor geometries and modern data acquisition hardware and software. Following the successful commissioning of the test-rig in March 2018, a first measurement campaign has been conducted. Early test results regarding aerodynamic performance and aeroelastic effects of the test compressor are presented together with a detailed overview of test-rig infrastructure and control systems as well as the test compressor and the measurement hardware.