High Pressure Combustion Lab (ZL8)
Opened in 2017, the High Pressure Combustion Laboratory (ZL8) is the only facility of its kind in the world. The Tebbe TDI Laser Lab, a 2,000 square-foot climate controlled facility, runs adjacent to 5 brand new test cells, for optimal inclusion of laser diagnostic measurements in the experiments. Four of the test cells house airbreathing combustion and sprays experiments, while the fifth test cell houses a state-of-the-art turbine lab for studying aerodynamics and heat transfer in advanced turbine systems. ZL8 also includes a machine shop, control rooms, and electronics/instrumentation rooms.
The adjacent air heater has capacity to deliver 1500°F high pressure air to experiments permitting the researchers to simulate compressor discharge exit conditions for some of the most modern high pressure ratio gas turbine engines.
