EPTEC EQUIPMENT
Eptec, in collaboration with Sheffield and Leeds Universities, NATEC and the centre's other partners has put together a world class facility at Beighton, Sheffield...
500kW Furnace
Eptec's 3m x 0.6m x 0.9m 500kw furnace, with a ceramic refractory and a layer of ceramic fibre. The furnace has been adapted to run on a wide range of gaseous and liquid fuels and
will undertake research aimed at; CO2 sequestration, Zero emission power generation, in collaboration with BOC and Power generators and Ultra low NOx burner design.
Fundamental Combustion and Fuels Laboratory
Eptec's research laboratory for fundamental studies of turbulent flows is equipped with optical benches and lasers, allowing the rapid prototyping of conceptual optical systems. Equipment available includes 5W and 20W CW lasers, facilities for planar laser induced fluorescence equipment, two CCD 2D array cameras, and extensive flow metering and data acquisition equipment.
Aviation Fuels and Lubricants Test Rigs
With the advent of new fuel additives this will provide the only research capability of its kind outside of the USA. Aimed at researching thermal stability properties of aviation fuels and lubricants, the test rigs can be used to stress fuel and oil in an identical way to that seen on an aircraft engine. It is an open circuit using around 300 gallons of fuel per test and although the fuel rig is predominantly used for aviation it can also be used to look at the diverse range of marine fuels.
Elastomer Rig
Eptec's
Elastomer rig facility allows the testing of elastomers (rubber) engine components and the affect that alternative fuels have upon them and their performance.
Rotary Kiln Furnace
The furnace can be used for a variety of research including the heat treatment of powdered, granular or crushed bulk materials. Treatment temperatures up to 1000°C are possible.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Eptec, in partnership with Advantica, has installed two SOFC test rigs. The SOFC Experimental Facility
consists of two independently operated test units at Leeds and Sheffield capability. These facilities will be used for
testing of single cells and stacks, the measurement of cell electrical performance, and materials
post-analysis to investigate the effects of cell usage on their microstructure.
350kW Fluid Bed pilot plant
Relocated from the Coal Research Establishment at Mitcheldean this rig was commissioned in late 2005. The FBC has available 3 sizes of feed screw, cyclone and ceramic filter.
Gas Turbine Combustion Rig
Eptec's rig is designed to operate at 5 kg/s, 40 bar and 1000k inlet conditions, limited initially to 10bar. The rigs will be fuelled using liquid and gaseous fuels.
Gas Turbine Engine Facility
A small Rolls Royce Artouste Auxiliary Power unit is available for alternative fuel evaluation. The engine is rated at 60kW and has a capability of delivering 1.25kg/s of compressed air, configured to run on fuels produced by Eptec's own gasification plant.
Additional information about Eptec's equipment can be found here in PDF format
