Photo gallery, then and now

Background

The FPRL is hosted in the Laboratory of the Department of Energy. It substituted the old gallery for testing engines at high altitude conditions. The following images report the dismantling of historical equipment in the early eighties.

The old laboratory

The first FPRL filled an area of 200 square meters at the ground level. In such open space all test rigs used for didactic and research purposes were allocated (see following photos). Two flight of stairs led to an equivalent area in the basement, where two central oil feed systems were settled along with various and dismissed equipment.

The construction of the new laboratory

In 2003 all test rigs were temporarily removed for the construction of the present laboratory. An acoustically insulated cell was built to host up to three test rigs, equipped with air treatment and linked to the electric, hydraulic and pneumatic distribution net. Two oil feeding systems were relocated within the basement and the oil distribution net was remade. The following photos report the different phases of the construction work.

Downstairs floor Sound proof cell for test rigs Sound proof cell for test rigs Sound proof cell for test rigs Sound proof cell for test rigs First floor - September 2017 First floor - September 2017

The new laboratory

The new laboratory was completed in 2005, the last test rig was installed in 2007.

In 2018 the Lab has expanded with a new floor, including a didactic laboratory for components dismantling and a new open space for hosting PhD students and research assistants.

These photos show the current layout.