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Cranfield University
Department of Power and Propulsion
Introduction

Prof. Pericles Pilidis

Head of Department

Cranfield University: Key Facts

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Global reputation for:

Inspirational applied education and research
Industrial scale facilities for research and experimentation
Strong rapport with industry and commerce (Boeing, RR, SN, Airbus etc...)
Unique postgraduate institution
Offers Masters, Doctorate (PhD and EngD) and Professional Development Courses
University with its own airfield
Two time winner of the Queens Anniversary Prize

Cranfield University: Key Development Dates

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1946
1969
1975
1981
1984
1993
1996
2000

College of Aeronautics founded

Royal Charter granting university status:
- Cranfield Institute of Technology
Silsoe College Joins
European double degrees initiated
RMCS teaching and research contract - renewed 1996
Name changed to Cranfield University
50th Anniversary
Institute of Bio-Sciences moves to Silsoe

Cranfield University: Key Development Dates

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Department of Power and Propulsion

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Objective
To develop and apply knowledge and
analyses for the economic and technical
benefit of the international gas turbine
community and related industries

FACT: The international GT industry is worth

approximately 30b p/a
Image courtesy of Emirates

Department of Power and Propulsion

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Turbines
Are 2000
years old:
Hero of
Alexandria

Department of Power and Propulsion

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Aircraft Gas Turbine

Image courtesy of Rolls Royce

Department of Power and Propulsion

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Price/kg of a new civil aircraft Gas Turbine ~ 4 times this

Value of knowledge

Department of Power and Propulsion:

Teaching & Research Program Applicability

PROPULSION

ENERGY

Department of Power and Propulsion:

Teaching & Research Program Applicability

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Full and part time MSc, PhD, EngD programs

MSc Double Degrees with several European Universities:
Italy, Spain, France, Poland, Hungary, Romania and others
Renowned Short Courses as part of Continued Professional Development (CPD)
Cranfield University
Industrial Companies / Educational Institutions:
UK, Abu Dhabi, Brazil, Dubai, Greece, Korea, Libya, USA and others
Customised Training Courses over periods up to 12 months:
Bespoke training for the oil and gas industry worldwide including:
Libya, Oman, Brazil and many others

Department of Power and Propulsion:

MSc Thermal Power

Full time (1 year) / Part time (2 years)

4 course Options:
Aerospace Propulsion
Gas Turbine Technology
Power, Propulsion and the Environment
Rotating Machinery, Engineering and Management
120 Course Members of 15+ Different Nationalities
2 MSc programs p/a: October Start, March Start

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Department of Power and Propulsion:

MSc Thermal Power: Taught Courses
Examples of Taught and Assessed Lecture Courses
Gas Turbine Applications
Gas Turbine Performance
Mechanical Design of Turbomachinery
Turbomachinery Design Innovative
Gas Turbine Combustors, Fuels and Combustion
Simulation and Diagnostics
Propulsion System Performance and Integration
Space Propulsion and Spacecraft Systems
Jet Engine Control
Materials Selection
Blade Cooling
Management for Technology
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Piston Engines

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Department of Power and Propulsion:

MSc Thermal Power: Individual Projects

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Design or Research based projects

Specified by project supervisor or by company (allows on-going programs to
be developed)
Possibility of interaction with doctoral researchers
Examples of Projects:
Gas Turbine Performance (Core Competence)
Techno-Economical and Environmental Risk Assessment of Existing /
Novel Cycles (TERA)
Icing Investigations
Gas turbine Simulation, Diagnostics and Prognostics
Mechanical Integrity Investigations
Engine / Component Design
Investigations of Novel cycles (WR, PD, CVC, Int/Recup etc)
Alternative Fuels Research
Emissions Predictions
Multidisciplinary Optimisation Studies

Department of Power and Propulsion:

Industry Relevant Research
Collaborative EU Projects:
TERA for novel cycles and trajectory optimisation

Rolls Royce Performance University Technology Centre (UTC)

Biofuels Research
TERA for energy (power generation, marine, oil and gas, LNG)
Gas Turbine Diagnostics

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Department of Power and Propulsion:

Research / Experimental Test Facilities

High Pressure Air Plant

5 axis CNC machining capability

High Speed Test Facilities

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High Speed Drive Train

HP Regenerative Air Heater

Low Speed Facility

Department of Power and Propulsion:

Research / Experimental Test Facilities
Large scale 4 stage & 1.5 stage low
speed research compressors
3 axis rotating traverse gear
Embedded miniature dynamic sensors for 3D
cfd validation
Optical and capacitance tip timing probe
investigations
Boundary layer and tip clearance studies

Transonic tunnel
Boundary layer blowing/sucking

Renewables
Off shore wind collaborative and tidal
research and development

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Department of Power and Propulsion:

Research / Experimental Test Facilities

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Pebble Bed Air Heater - 1600K - 15 bar

Scramjets
Low NOx
Supersonic Combustor Testing (National Economic Development Organisation)

Department of Power and Propulsion:

Research / Experimental Test Facilities
Icing Tunnel
Mach 0.4
720 by 720 mm section
100 Kg/sec of air
0.5 MW cooling
Cooled droplet tower
Droplet & film dynamics
Erosion
External Partners
NASA Icing Branch
Rolls-Royce, ITP
Thales, EU
Dunlop Aerospace

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Department of Power and Propulsion:

A Time of Change

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- Emissions a Powerful Technology Driver

- Changing Economic Models from Time and Materials (T&M)
to Total Care Packages (TCP)
- Few Global manufacturers
- Large number of users
- Our skills make a great contribution
- New and able competitors materialising

Department of Power and Propulsion:

Why Cranfield?

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Best performance output in terms of value of output / unit cost

Low student : staff ratios (no undergraduate courses)
Cutting edge (industry relevant) MSc and PhD research
Use of additional expertise when required
Tailor made programs available
Renowned short courses for gas turbine technology, maintenance and operations

Result:
Highly trained, highly competent individuals with multi-disciplinary capabilities and a
complete and sound understanding of the gas turbine engine in a relevant field.
Individuals ready for an immediate role in industry (or academia)