University of Minnesota—Thomas E. Murphy Engine Research Lab
Client
University of Minnesota
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Program
Size
6,000 SF
The Thomas E. Murphy Engine Research Laboratory is in an existing warehouse building off Como Avenue and 29th Avenue S.E. The lab promotes collaboration between engine experts and industry leaders for research and development. Explosion control, air intake, and exhaust requirements mandate that the test cells be located along an exterior wall and required significant infrastructure. Explosion vent panels provide daylight into the test cells and associated control rooms.
Energy produced by the engines is transferred back to the electrical grid by the engine AC dynamometers. Other energy efficiency strategies include run-around energy recovery in the test cell exhaust system, variable air volume test cell exhaust system, and high U-value exterior wall design to control heat gain and heat loss.
