Head of Department:  Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Patrick René Jagerhofer, BSc

The Department of Heat Transfer and Combustion aims to enable the next generation of efficient, robust, and low-emission gas turbine technologies by bridging fundamental thermal research and industrial application. Through high-fidelity experiments at elevated technology readiness levels, the department delivers validated data, advanced measurement methodologies, and scalable solutions that directly support the development of sustainable propulsion and energy systems. Its research contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reduced cooling air demand, increased component lifetime, and the integration of low-carbon fuels addressing key challenges in the energy transition and strengthening the competitiveness of industrial partners.

The Department of Heat Transfer and Combustion conducts applied, research-driven investigations into thermal phenomena in the hot gas path of gas turbines, with a clear focus on industrial relevance and technology transfer. Core research activities include experimental measurements of heat transfer coefficients, film-cooling effectiveness, and hot-gas ingress in turbine stages and intermediate turbine ducts, addressing technology readiness levels (TRLs) up to 5 and thereby narrowing the gap between laboratory research and real engine conditions.

These technically demanding research questions are addressed through a strategic combination of in-house developed diagnostic methods and state-of-the-art, industry-leading experimental infrastructure. A defining characteristic of the department is the systematic coupling of ambitious research objectives with the development of bespoke measurement solutions tailored to realistic turbine environments. For example, the group has developed a full-surface measurement methodology for the simultaneous determination of heat transfer coefficients and film-cooling effectiveness on complex turbine geometries. This approach integrates infrared thermography, tailor-made heating foils, dual tracer gas techniques, and advanced three-dimensional post-processing and mapping algorithms. In a further example, an in-house Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) formulation was developed to enable high-speed film-cooling investigations in a fast-running low-pressure turbine.

A central challenge, and at the same time a core strength of the department, is the reliable application of advanced thermal measurement techniques in high-TRL, high-complexity turbine test rigs. All experimental approaches are designed to operate under realistic aerodynamic, and mechanical boundary conditions, ensuring the generation of high-quality, validation-grade data with direct relevance for industrial design and development processes.

Research in combustion is pursued along two complementary directions. One focus addresses the impact of combustor hot streaks on the thermal loading, cooling effectiveness, and lifetime of downstream hot gas path components. Within this context, the department has designed, built, and successfully operated two hot streak generators, with the most recent configuration informed by results from the FACTOR project, enabling targeted investigations under representative engine-relevant conditions.

The second combustion research direction encompasses direct experimental combustion studies. In the past, investigations of Jet A-1, hydrogen, methane, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), as well as thermoacoustic instabilities and catalytic combustion concepts have already been conducted. The institute operates two dedicated combustion test facilities, with the larger rig capable of thermal power levels between approximately 75 kW and 250 kW at pressures of up to 10 bar. These facilities support research on fuel flexibility, combustion stability, and emission reduction, directly addressing current and future regulatory and environmental requirements.