Reaction Engines Limited (REL) has built a custom-designed engine test facility at the B9 area of Culham Science Centre. The facility can be used to carry out cryogenic testing of components, and in particular advanced heat exchangers.

The facility is on two levels. The top level supports the fuel tank, a liquid nitrogen tank, pipework for these tanks and the control room. The lower level is where a Viper jet turbine is located, inside a protective concrete structure, together with a specially made silencer to muffle and cool the exhaust.

The engine is operated under automatic test sequence from the control room. A wide range of test conditions can be called up. Comprehensive data acquisition is carried out under computer control.

The facility has been specifically designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures. In order for the engine to run under these conditions, it is fuelled by liquid butane, rather than aviation fuels which become viscous at low temperatures.

REL’s B9 Test Area

Liquid nitrogen is fed from a large storage tank to the engine area where it is used as a heat sink. The liquid nitrogen can either be injected into the incoming air stream to cool down the airflow directly, or employed as a heat sink for a closed helium loop in conjunction with a pre-cooler. Heat exchanger modules are then mounted in front of the engine intake for testing and characterisation at low temperatures.

The facility is designed to be flexible so that other machinery, such as contra-rotating turbines, can also be tested.

Engine test underway with steam
venting from the silencer