The Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine Lab houses a unique, state-of-the-art 1.5 turbine in which blade Reynolds numbers and rotational Reynolds numbers are matched to that of an engine. The primary goals for this turbine facility include: developing improved sealing mechanisms for inter-stage gaps; developing novel cooling methods for turbine airfoils; validating sensors in rotating environments; and integrating the use of advanced manufacturing for turbine airfoil cooling and for sensor integration. In addition to the turbine, the START lab houses a dynamic seal test rig and benchtop facility that evaluates the heat transfer and pressure loss in true-scale heat transfer coupons made through the use of additive manufacturing.
The development of Penn State’s START Lab occurred through an initial and continuing partnership between Penn State, the Department of Energy-National Energy Technology Lab, and Pratt & Whitney. The START Lab is included in the Pratt & Whitney Center of Excellence and in 2018, Solar Turbines awarded their sole Center of Excellence to Penn State, which includes the START Lab. For tours, please go to START I and START II. For more information on current activities on START, please go here.