S & C Thermofluids operates a gas turbine engine test laboratory on behalf of the MoD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). The engine test laboratory makes use of static Rolls-Royce Gnome engines which have been modified to provide realistic engine flow regimes at small scale (see GETL). Such simulation is used to demonstrate and develop new engine technologies in areas such as new materials, thrust vectoring, signature management, and noise reduction. Recently, the engine capabilities have been enhanced to provide increased bypass ratios for turbofan simulations, at NPRs of up to 4:1. Also an independent combustor system has been developed to allow multiple combinations of pressure ratio and temperature to be simulated thus paving the way for the development and study of new combustion technologies such as improved fuel mixing nozzles and different fuels. The enhancements once again provide a route to the affordable development of new technologies. The work of the laboratory is underpinned by S & C Thermofluids’ advanced aerothermal, CFD based, numerical modelling capabilities and by Dstl’s defence related technology expertise and is available for general, multi-discipline aerospace R & T projects.

	The uprated Gnome turboshaft engine rig uses a bespoke gearbox to enable the engine to drive an independent Gnome compressor producing up to 4kg/s of air at a  pressure ratio of up to 4.5:1

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