BeCOVER

BeCOVER is an independent compressor test centre near Liège in Belgium. It tests compressors for aero engines. The centre serves both civil and military programmes.

The test bed can run full-size compressors. Its mechanical shaft power reaches 30 MW, so tests run at scale 1 under representative pressure and temperature. A 30 MW electric motor drives the rig at speeds up to 25,000 RPM.

The centre covers the full range of compressor sizes and types, including low-pressure and high-pressure compressors. It is built for current and future compressor designs. The test bed can also simulate altitude conditions for all engine operating conditions.

The test hall covers 3,000 square metres and is used for technology research. The rig layout includes a gearbox, an inlet valve, a settling chamber and airflow measurement on the inlet side. On the exhaust side it has exhaust flow measurement, a flow collector and a chimney. A closed loop with a heat exchanger is part of the layout.

Three partners stand behind the centre. They are Wallonie Entreprendre, the regional investment company, the Société Fédérale de Participations et d'Investissement, and Safran Aero Boosters. Together they set it up as an independent site for testing compressors for the aviation of the future.

BeCOVER also works with scientific partners, including Cenaero, the University of Liège and VKI. Companies can contact the centre to discuss a project or book a test.

Services

• Compressor testing
• Full-scale compressor tests
• Altitude simulation
• LPC and HPC testing
• Aero propulsion research testing