While previous tests lasted only fractions of a second—otherwise the combustion chambers would melt—the KIT team has now extended the runtime to more than five minutes. “This is an important step toward highly efficient and flexible hydrogen energy for a fossil-free energy system,” explains Professor Daniel Banuti, Director of the Institute of Thermal Energy Technology and Safety (ITES).
The major advantage of this technology is that no energy is required to compress the air before ignition. “A conventional gas turbine, such as those used in power plants or under aircraft wings, consumes about 50 percent of its power to compress air to the high pressure needed for efficient combustion—power that is then unavailable for electricity generation,” Banuti explains.
Pressure ‑ gain combustion replaces mechanical compression
The compressorless gas turbine is based on the principle of pressure-gain combustion. Unlike conventional gas turbines, which require about half of their output for air compression, this system generates the necessary high pressure through detonation waves inside the combustion chamber. These waves arise from a fluid-mechanical instability—patterns of waves and vortices in the flow—completely without mechanical compressors. This saves energy, reduces the number of moving parts, and increases efficiency.
Hydrogen as an ideal fuel for high ‑ efficiency turbines
The technology is not limited to hydrogen; however, hydrogen is particularly well suited because it reacts extremely quickly and enables stable pressure increases. This opens the door to lighter, more cost-effective, and ultra-efficient turbines for power generation and, in the long term, for aviation.
First successful power generation without a compressor
Coupling a turbine to the combustion chamber—and ultimately generating electricity—poses another technical challenge: “This is extremely difficult because the very fast and intense combustion processes in the chamber make stable energy transfer to the turbine challenging. We are the first to successfully operate such a turbine and generate electricity in the process,” says Banuti.
Presentation at Hannover Messe 2026
The researchers will present their innovative gas turbine at the upcoming Hannover Messe from April 20 to 24, 2026, at the KIT booth in Hall 11, Stand B 06.
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