China's Largest Compressor Test Platform Opens in Sichuan

Dongfang Steam Turbine's comprehensive test platform for large-scale compressors has been completed and commissioned in Deyang, Sichuan province, on October 15. The facility is the largest of its kind in China, with construction beginning in May 2024. Its objective is to improve the performance and reliability of domestically manufactured large compressors.

Compressors are industrial devices that pressurize gas and are critical components in clean energy systems, including energy storage and transportation. Dongfang Steam Turbine has focused on independent research and development of compressors, supporting the operation of the new test platform.

The new platform integrates three key functions: fundamental research, prototype validation, and pre-delivery inspection. It enables testing of compressor performance at various stages, data collection for aerodynamic design, and verification of new products' reliability. The platform also conducts tests according to international standards to ensure product compliance.

The platform comprises three coordinated test benches. The largest, a 50-megawatt test bench, is China's largest motor double-drive test platform for high-power compressors. A 10-megawatt system targets applications such as natural gas pipelines and carbon capture, while a basic test system focuses on fundamental research.

Dongfang Steam Turbine's capability to offer complete compressor solutions, including control systems, has been enhanced. With the new test platform, the company possesses a complete R&D cycle for compressors. This strengthens the company's industrial position and drives development across the entire supply chain.