Rocket Turbo Pump Test Stand

A rocket engine turbo pump test bench is designed and built on the basis of modularity, accuracy, and reliability in order to test the effectiveness of turbo pumps undergoing research and development by Launch Canada. The goal is to make a robust test bench that can accommodate turbo pumps of varying sizes that are either turbine or electrically driven, to compare different designs and solutions. The ability to test turbo pump designs is imperative to using one in the design of a rocket engine, therefore this test bench must be able to accurately and reliably read and record data obtained while simulating a launch scenario.
The list of criteria for the stand to be considered a success is: be controlled with a PLC with an HMI (human machine interface) away from the test stand, be able to start and end the turbo test, be able to support a 20 lb turbo pump, be able to support turbo pumps that are turbine driven or electric motor driven,be no more than 7 feet wide, 7 feet tall, and 20 feet long, be able to safely house up to two liquid oxygen, nitrogen, or compressed air tanks, have a thick metal plate to protect compressed tanks and electronics in case of a turbo pump explosion, be corrosion resistant in the turbo pump area, be able to measure turbo pump temperature, be able to measure turbo pump flow, be able to measure turbo pump pressure, be able to measure turbo pump vibrations, be able to measure turbo pump RPM up to 50,000 RPM, be able to measure turbo pump torque and power up to 12 kW, not deflect more than 0.001 inches at any point, be able to roll for transportation, be able to stand on uneven terrain, be corrosion resistant, be able to withstand 60 PSIG on the suction side of the turbo pump, and 700 PSIG on
the discharge side.
We have learned many things through our time working on this project but our key takeaways is that clear communication is extremely important as well as being able to work effectively as part of a team to accomplish common goals in a timely manner.