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Turbomachinery and Flight Propulsion
Aerodynamic and structural development, simulation and experimental investigation of innovative
and novel turbomachinery systems and components
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Research activities at the Institute of Turbomachinery and Flight Propulsion (Lehrstuhl für
Turbomaschinen und Flugantriebe LTF) cover topics in the fields of flight propulsion, gas turbines
and thermal turbomachinery. The institute focuses on advanced enhancements of turbomachinery
components applied in the field of flight propulsion and energy systems. As a centre of excellence
for compression system aerodynamic and structual innovation the institute owns world-class
compressor test facilities used along with extensive numerical modelling to take technology to
the next level.
Since its re-structuring and re-establishment in June 2016
the institute has been built up strongly, with respect to
both human resource and research activities in national/
European funding programmes and in industry partner-
ships. The former Institute of Flight Propulsion (LFA) was
established back in 1964, when Prof. Münzberg was
appointed head of the chair in downtown Munich. Since
its foundation the institute has been dedicated to research
and teaching in the field of jet propulsion and gas turbines.
The institute is an active member of national research
associations, participant in European research projects
and long-term partner of leading aero-engine and compo-
nent manufacturers. A cooperation with General Electric
(GE) initiated the development of one of the world’s most
advanced high-speed research radial and axial compres-
sor laboratories focused on developing tomorrow’s aircraft
engines and gas turbines. As a centre of excellence,
the institute collaborates with a number of global-player
industry partners, such as GE, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls
Royce and Siemens. In accordance with the research
strategy of the institute four main areas of research are
pursued: Turbomachinery Aerodynamics, Propulsor Tech-
nologies, Advanced Engine Component Design and Make
Concepts, and Gas Turbine Systems and Cycles. Each of
these is addressed from both the experimental as well as
the numerical perspective, directed towards the analysis
of the time-resolved aerodynamic and structural behavior
of turbomachinery components in flying and stationary
gas turbine environments.
Turbomachinery Aerodynamics
Research is carried out in the field of axial as well as
centrifugal turbomachinery in order to explore new
areas of the design space, targeted at improvements
in compressor stability, the reduction of secondary
losses in turbomachinery and the optimisation of loading
parameters with respect to a further rise in component
efficiencies. Both fundamental as well as applied
research is pursued in order to derive novel aerofoil
configurations which would allow a significant reduction
in stage count, weight and cost of turbomachinery. An
important role in this respect is taken by innnovative flow
control concepts, which in the mid-term may eventu-
ally be of active type. For the purpose of fundamental
experimental flow investigation it is planned to develop
and build a new large-scale low-speed compressor rig,
which allows detailed flow measurements in a wide range
of Reynolds numbers, in particular on high-lift aerofoil
Radial compressor test facility at the LTF
Blade tip vortex flow field influenced by a stability-enhancing casing
treatment