On June 1, 2023, Matt Janssen from the Vapor Locomotive Company (USA) visited us in the Zittau power plant laboratory. The decisive factor was his interest in the globally unique TMS combined cycle machine, which forms the heart of the TMS battery and is currently being investigated experimentally in the Zittau power plant laboratory.

Together with two colleagues from SPILLING Technologies, our Hamburg-based industrial project partner in the TMS joint project, we presented the THERESA test facility with the connected TMS, SCTF, DAQUA and AUTOKLAV test setups to Matt Janssen and reported on our associated research priorities. Matt Janssen was impressed by the many interesting research topics and an interesting and valuable exchange of experiences took place during the lively technical discussions.

Matt Janssen is an enthusiastic steam engine expert and carries out maintenance work and repairs on industrial steam compressors for a living. He has also repaired special parts for historic steam locomotives. We therefore organized a short visit to the locomotive workshop of the Zittau narrow-gauge railroad after the lab tour. The impressions we gathered there were very impressive for both our guest from the USA and our colleagues from SPILLING, and everyone was impressed.