Institute for Thermal Turbomachinery and Machine Dynamics

The Institute for Thermal Turbomachinery and Machine Dynamics of Graz University of Technology deals with research and education in the fields of thermal turbomachinery (especially gas and steam turbines), thermal power production as well as machine dynamics.

Education

The institute offers numerous courses to following topics:

• Thermal Turbomachinery
• Economical Optimization of Thermal Turbomachinery
• Laser Diagnostics for Vibration and Flow Analysis
• Power Plant Commissioning
• Machine Dynamics
• Sound

Research and Development

The institute works at the optimization of thermal turbomachinery as well as at the investigation of new and innovative thermal power plants within national, European and international research projects under contract of the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF), the European Commission and industry.

• Within the EU-Project DITTUS innovative gas turbine stages are tested in a transonic test turbine. The flow in the stages is investigated numerically and experimentally. The results will lead to the development of high-efficiency gas turbines at reduced costs.
• The institute is also developing an innovative power plant, the Graz Cycle. It allows the retention of CO2 in thermal power production.
• The use of bio mass in cogeneration plants with gas turbines is investigated. An "inverse gas turbine process" allows the atmospheric firing of bio mass.

Equipment

The institute is equipped with research laboratories with an area of more than 1000 m² and a 3 MW compressor station. The transonic turbine test rig allows continuous test operation and is due its performance unique in Europe. Continuous and pulsed laser systems (holography, LDA, PIV) together with various standard measurement techniques are used for flow and vibration experiments. The institute uses also fast and powerful computers and modern software.

Consulting for Industry

The institute supports Austrian and international power industry. The institute carries out plant commissioning, solves operational problems and conducts failure analysis of thermal turbomachinery.

Contact

Institute for Thermal Turbomachinery and Machine Dynamics
Graz University of Technology
Inffeldgasse 25, A-8010 Graz
Tel.: +43 316/873-7226
Fax: +43 316/873-7234
e-mail: ttm@ttm.tu-graz.ac.at
Internet: ttm.tu-graz.ac.at