Research fields

　　The Laboratory is focused on the designs and tests of gas turbines, wind energy utilization, energy saving and emission reduction. We concentrate on the research and development (R&D) of efficient heat convertors by fully utilizing the integrated advantages of the Laboratory in the disciplines of aerothermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, combustion and solid mechanics. The research theoretically and technically supports the R&D in the fields of propulsion and power and its civil applications by combining the fundamental research, key components, integrations and innovations of systems and new products.

A micro gas turbine under design	A test bench rig for wind turbine blades	Casing of a 13-grade industrial axial compressor for export

　　1.  Gas turbines

　　The research is engaged in the theories and key technologies of aerodynamics, heat transfer, combustion and rotor dynamics of the key components, gas turbines and aero-engines.

　　The research is focused on the designs, matches and optimizations of integrated performances, the tests and designs of efficient axial, centrifugal and combined compressors with wide margins, the tests and designs of the hot parts for fast cooling and heat protection coupled with flows, heat and solid, the three-dimensional optimizations and designs of flows in multi-stage gas turbines, the experimental techniques of buffered aerodynamics and heat transfer in high-speed planar blade cascades and gas turbines, the designs and tests of the efficient clean combustors with long lifetimes and the efficient compact reheating technology. The new concept engines include the design theory and methods for pneumatic thermodynamics in contra-rotating engines and the key technologies in contra-rotating ramjet engines.

　　2.  Wind energy utilization

　　The research involves the aerodynamics, structures, vibration, noise and test of large-scale wind turbine blades, including unsteady flows, pneumatic elastics and special wind turbine blades, aerodynamics, accessories and flow control for wind turbine blades. The researchers also study the designs of advanced blade systems, the characteristics of composites and structures of flexible blades, the industrialization quality control and shaping crafts, the environmentally friendly recycling technology for discarded blades, the techniques, platforms and their setups for detections and measurements, the maritime wind turbine blades, the interactions of sea water and base and the forms of maritime power generators with wind turbines.

　　3.  Energy saving and emission reduction

　　The research is engaged in the key technology and its applications of a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) of medium- or low-caloric gases and steams emitted in the iron and steel industries. The researchers study generally used flow machinery (fans, compressors and pumps), the energy saving technologies of the expanding turbines for industrial exhaust (Top gas pressure Recovery Turbine (TRT) and exhaust gas turbine). The research involves the utilization of coal-bed methane to generate electricity and the theory and technology of refrigeration efficiently utilizing exhaust energy. We investigate the new technology for efficient compact heat and energy transfer, the efficient energy conversion, storage and utilizations, the basic theory and key technology for Sterling engines and the advanced combustion technology for the resource-like utilization of landfill gases, marsh gases and exhaust gases in chemical industries.

　　4. Efficient thermal management

　　The research is engaged in the advanced thermal management with photo-electronic and micro-electronic devices and components, the phase-shift heat transfer and efficient heat pipes, the theory for micro time- and space-scale mass and heat transfer, the cooling of large-scale electric equipments, the evaluation of thermophysical properties of advanced materials and the grooming thermal protection for special aircrafts.

Research staffs

　　There are totally 5 research professors inclusively of a CAS academician and 2 research professors supported by the Hundred Talent Plan, 13 associate research professors or senior engineers, 6 post-doctoral research fellows, 76 graduate students inclusively of 41 graduate students for doctoral degrees and 11 visiting researchers inclusively of 6 research professors in this Laboratory.

Research projects granted in 2008

　　In 2008, the Laboratory had 29 new research projects granted. They are 2 sub-projects of key 863 projects, a special 863 project, a key and 7 normal projects founded by the National Natural Science Foundation, 2 sub-projects of key Academic projects, 2 projects supported by the Academic funds for innovations, 2 other Academic projects, 2 international cooperative projects and 12 projects in collaboration with companies.

The main achievements and progresses in 2008

　　We have setup a dual-stage centrifugal compressor and its full three-dimensional design system. The results of relevant research have revealed in details the cooling method and principles of parts in a gas turbine. We have found the design methods and the criterions of high-temperature gas turbine blades with thermal fluid-structure interactions.

　　The designed wind turbine blades with power output of 2 MW have been applied in Gansu Province. Other technological transfers are in negotiation. The design of new wind turbine blades with power output of 3 MW has been started. We have newly got a key project funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, the energy absorbing mechanism of large-scale wind turbine blades and the relevant aeroelastic stability.　

　　We have finished the design and production of an air cannon and an industrial thirteen-stage axial compressor for export to Brazil. The product has passed the inspection of experts. The performances have reached the advanced international level. In addition, we have obtained some important achievements in the distributed energy suppliers, the energy storage with liquid air and the combined cycle power plant (CCPP) of medium- or low-caloric gases and steams emitted in the iron and steel industries.

　　We have built a unique test platform for fast phase-shift heat-transfer experiments in this country. We have independently developed an efficient cooling system and an online fully automatic monitoring system for high-power electronic equipments. The specifications reach or are superior to the anticipated requirements. In the measurements of micro thermophysical properties, we have measured the heat conductivity of a nano-tube array of vertically growing carbon. The technical specifications of the thermal management system, such as the current density of diffusive heat, are superior to the heat dissipation requirements of various high-power lasers. We have successfully developed a compound integrated phase-shift cooling box with 3000A microgrooves for a combustion power generator. We have overcome five technical and productive difficulties in the transfer-type heat protection in special aircrafts, such as high current density of heat at the hot end of heat pipes for the transfer-type thermal protection, and have finished the craft improvement of the high-temperature heat pipes and the manufacture of hardware. The tested results have reached the anticipated goals.