A development boost for tomorrow’s compressors
Safran Aero Boosters has partnered with the Belgian government to create BeCOVER, an aerodynamic testing center for turbomachinery in Liège. Offering technical capabilities unrivaled in Europe, it will test all types of compressors for engines powering new-generation civil and military aircraft.
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he Belgian government and the Walloon region are teaming up with Safran Aero Boosters to invest in a very promising project, an exceptional test center for new-generation compressors. Based in Liège, Belgium, this facility will work for both Safran and major prime contractors. It will play an important role in the development of disruptive technologies and help the aviation industry meet its ambitious goals for the reduction of CO2 emissions. “The long-term viability of our industry depends on the development of new technologies enabling us to meet our environmental objectives – and we’re already gearing up to make that possible,” says François Lepot, President and Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aero Boosters. “This new test center will considerably accelerate our research and technology drive.”
THE ONLY TEST FACILITY OF ITS KIND IN EUROPE
Set to start operation in 2023, this new test facility will be an advanced laboratory for use by Safran, industry, universities and research centers. BeCOVER will span a wide range of low and high-pressure compressor applications. It features exceptional technical capabilities, especially a closed-circuit airstream so that turbomachinery components can be tested under altitude or ground conditions, plus bypass flow testing, a multispeed gearbox, resistance to temperatures exceeding 600°C and the ability to remotely control tests jointly. Initially applied to aviation, these capabilities could subsequently be called on by other sectors, such as the energy industry. A fivemeter test section installed for compressors could easily handle other applications as well.
“The long-term viability of our industry depends on the development of new technologies. This new test center will considerably accelerate our R&T efforts.”
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INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUSTAIN COMPETITIVENESS
The BeCOVER test facility will be built by Safran Test Cells, a subsidiary of Safran Aero Boosters that’s a leader in the design and construction of test rigs. According to Jérôme Morhet, head of test installations, “This project will call on the latest techniques to optimize our use of resources. We’re paying special attention to reducing noise and seamlessly integrating with the environment by designing a semi-buried building. Furthermore, this test facility will showcase our abilities for future customers, and it’s also a way of publicizing our innovations in test systems.”
Several potential customers have already shown a keen interest in this type of test facility. Already on the agenda are tests of the low-pressure compressor for the RISE engine demonstrator planned by CFM partners Safran Aircraft Engines and GE, and discussions are under way to test a demonstrator of the high-pressure compressor for this program.
3 key objectives
- Test compressors
with low air inlet pressure to better simulate conditions in flight.
- Provide a test rig adaptable
to all engine configurations, using a layout that handles multiple flowrates.
- Cover all current
civil and military engine requirements, thanks to an initial power rating of 20 MW.
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