A Review of the Installation, Performance and Economic Aspects of a High Altitude Facility for Small Gas Turbines

A new facility to simulate altitude conditions for small gas turbine engines has been designed, installed and operated at the National Research Council of Canada by Pratt & Whitney of Canada. The facility can simulate the pressures and temperatures associated with altitudes up to 40,000 feet, and forward speeds of up to a mach number of .7. The main feature of this facility, is that it reduces altitude testing, operating costs, as well as providing “test cell quality” performance results.

These aforementioned aspects of the facility are reviewed along with the facility's operational features and capabilities.