Leibniz Universität Hannover Faculty Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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Institute of Thermodynamics
 
Institute of Thermodynamics Cooperations
Facilities

Apparatus Equipment

Our institute has a broad technical infrastructure that enables us to investigate electrochemical energy converters, heat transfer processes, and thermophysical material data.

A key component is our high-temperature fuel cell test bench for characterizing SOFC and SOEC systems. We test individual cells and short stacks with an electrical power output of up to 1 kW at operating temperatures of up to 1100 °C. The gas supply is highly flexible and covers CH₄, H₂, NH₃, CO₂, N₂, O₂, and H₂O, supplemented by gas chromatographic analysis. For electrochemical characterization, we use methods such as impedance spectroscopy, cyclovoltammetry, and current-interrupt measurements, which allow us to investigate cell losses, aging, and dynamic behavior in detail.

In addition, we operate a calibration laboratory where we calibrate temperature, pressure, flow, and humidity measuring instruments and compare them with reference instruments—including those based on the ITS-90 temperature scale and piston manometers for pressure calibration.

Another focus is on the precise measurement of thermophysical property data for pure substances and mixtures, such as phase equilibria, sound velocities of liquids, and heat capacities of solids and liquids. To this end, we use various density measurement devices—for example, for adsorption measurements on porous and non-porous materials as well as under cryogenic conditions—high-precision mass and volume determination, and spectroscopic methods such as Raman and FTIR spectroscopy to investigate the composition and structure of fluids.

Heat transfer and evaporation are also among the topics we cover: On our evaporator test bench, we characterize evaporator channels and units at water flow rates of up to 8 g/s and air flow rates of up to 600 Nl/min with inlet temperatures of up to 500 °C. Our high-temperature heat exchanger test bench enables us to investigate a wide variety of heat exchangers—including those produced via additive manufacturing—at inlet temperatures up to 900 °C and air mass flow rates up to 600 Nl/min, including water vapor injection for the investigation of radiation effects. In both cases, we determine pressure drop and heat transfer correlations.

Our equipment is rounded out by a high-temperature heat pump based on the Osenbrück process, which uses an ammonia-water mixture as a refrigerant. It achieves a thermal capacity of 50 kW and can provide outlet temperatures above 100 °C—relevant for industrial process heating applications.

With our test benches and laboratories, we thus cover a broad spectrum: from electrochemical cell characterization and precise material property measurements to heat transfer and heat pump technology.

Four-Sinker Densimeter

Low-uncertainty measurements of the density of pure gases and gas mixtures, including dew-point density measurements. The instrument can also be used to investigate adsorption of gases on solid materials.

Operating range

  • Temperature: (-80 to 150) °C

  • Pressures: up to 150 bar

  • Density: 0,8 and 180 kg/m3

  • Adsorption: 0,1 and 2,2 μg/cm2

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Density: 0,003 to 0,019 kg/m3

  • Adsorption: 0,12 to 0,41 μg/cm2

Tandem-Sinker Densimeter / Gravimetric Sorption Analyzer

Density measurements of pure gases and gas mixtures with parallel adsorption investigation on porous materials.

Operating range

  • Temperature: (5 to 80) °C
  • Pressures: up to 120 bar
  • Density: 14 to 137 kg/m3
  • Adsorption: 0,1 and 4 μg/cm2

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Density: 0,02 kg/m3
  • Adsorption: 1 to 1,5 μg/cm2

Analytical Balance

Mass determination of solid objects according to the double substitution method or the repeated measurements method.

Operating range

  • Ambient conditions
  • Mass: maximum 220 g

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Mass: 0,7 to 2 ppm 

 

Hydrostatic Comparator

Volume determination of solid objects immersed in a hydrostatic fluid

Operating Range

  • Ambient conditions
  • Mass: maximum 220 g

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Volume: 100 to 400 ppm

Cryogenic Vibrating Tube Densimeter

Density measurements of gas and liquids in flow conditions and in a wide range of temperature and pressures 

Operating range

  • Temperature: (-185 to 200) °C
  • Pressure: up to 150 bar

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Density: first estimation 0,3%

DMA 6002 SV

Commercial instrument for density and speed of sound measurements in liquids

Operating range

  • Temperature: (0 to 100) °C
  • Pressure: up to 5 bar
  • Density: up to 3000 kg/m3
  • Speed of sound: 1000 to 2000 m/s

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Density: to be determined
  • Speed of sound: to be determined

Piston Gauge

Low-uncertainty calibration of pressure sensors

Operating range

  • Pressure: up to 200 bar

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Pressure: 60 ppm

Triple Point of Water Cells

Calibration of temperature sensors according to the ITS-90 using the triple point of water as a fixed-point reference.

Operating range

  • Temperature: 273,16 K

Uncertainty (k = 2)

  • Temperature: 0,01 K

High Temperature Fuel Cell Test Stand

  • Characterization of SOFC's and SOEC's
  • Single cells and short stacks up to 1 kW electric
  • Operation at temperatures up to 1100 °C
  • Gas supply: CH4, H2, CO, CO2, N2, O2, H2O and NH3
  • Supplemented by gas analysis (gas chromatography)

High-Temperature Heat Exchanger Test Stand

  • Characterization of various heat exchangers, including those produced via additive manufacturing, for high-temperature applications
  • Inlet temperatures up to 900°C
  • Mass flow rates up to 600 Nl/min of air; water vapor injection possible (for investigating radiation effects)
  • Determination of pressure drop and heat transfer correlations

Evaporation Test Stand

  • Characterization of evaporator channels and apparatus
  • Up to 8 g/s of water, preheated to near saturation
  • Up to 600 Nl/min of air, inlet temperature up to 500°C
  • Determination of pressure drop and heat transfer correlations

High-Temperature Heat Pump

  • Based on Osenbrück cycle
  • Refrigerant mixture ammonia and water
  • Thermal power 50kW
  • Sink temperatures above 100°C

Last Change: 18.08.26 Print

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