Compressible Nozzle Flow

Justin Burke Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281 This lab used a rig to test the compressible flow in a nozzle and to show how different parameters affect that flow. The elements that are changed in this lab are the inlet pressure and outlet pressure. Two tests were run, the first with the outlet pressure fixed, and then the second, with the inlet pressure fixed. Data were taken at points spread throughout the nozzle. The force on the nozzle from the air came out to be 452.75 KPa and the location of the shock was predicted to be between 3 and 3.75mm from the inlet. Overall, it was determined that the main factors that affect a flow in a nozzle are the area in to throat area ratios and the pressure in to pressure out ratios. Overall, the lab was a success and the objectives were met.

Nomenclature
Ae At F mi Po To V = Area of Exit = Area of Throat = Force on nozzle = Mass Flow Rate = Initial Pressure = Temperature = Velocity

I.

Introduction

This lab used a rig to test the compressible flow in a nozzle and to show how different parameters affect that flow. The elements that are changed in this lab are the inlet pressure and outlet pressure. The flow in the nozzle can be modeled by using the conservation equations in thermodynamics, particularly, conservation of momentum. The momentum conservation equations are used to find the force that the fluid is applying on the nozzle. These equations have to be used compared to Bernoullis equation because this flow does not meet the basic assumptions required for Bernoullis to stand. The nozzle works by using a diverging-converging set up. The flow is compressed to reach mach one at the neck of the nozzle, then is expanded to reach supersonic speeds. By adjusting the back pressure, you can control where and if a shock takes place.

II.

Procedures

The experiment consisted of a nozzle attached to a test rig. Inside of the nozzle there were eight different pressure gages, an inlet and outlet thermometer, and a mass-flow rotameter. The pressure gages are spaced equally throughout the nozzle. First, record the ambient temperature and pressure with their uncertainties. Place a thermometer at the inlet and outlet of the nozzle. Copy the nozzle dimensions and the mass-flow meter corrections as well as any other necessary information. Start the test runs with the outlet pressure fixed at 50kPa (gauge) and vary the inlet pressures between 100 KPa to 500 KPa with increments of 100KPa. Record the readings of each device for every run. Once completed, fix the inlet pressure at 500 KPa and repeat the steps above. The results for each run can be graphed using any graphing software. The plots will be formed by taking the ratios of the pressures and plotting them against various things (distance, mass-flow rate, etc.).

III.
0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0 2 4 6

Results

Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Run 5

Figure 1. Effect of Inlet Pressure: Inlet pressure is varied and outlet pressure is held constant. 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0 2 4 6 8 Figure 2. Effect of Outlet Pressure: Inlet pressure is held constant and outlet pressure is varied. 0.006 0.005 0.004 0.003 0.002 0.001 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 Run 1 Run 2 Run 5 Run 6 Run 7 Run 8 Run 9

Figure 3. Mass Flow Rate Vs. P/Po: The difference in the mass flow rate at different pressures for each run.

In order for Bernoullis most basic equation to be valid, the flow has to be incompressible and steady. The flow is not incompressible in this case because it reaches supersonic speeds. Bernoullis compressible flow equation can be used because it takes into account compressibility effects. It is a function of velocity, pressure, density, and other gas constants. This equation can be used to determine the isentropic relations as well as plot them. The force on the nozzle came out to be 452.75 KPa which was calculated using the conservation volume forms of the momentum conservation equations and can be seen in appendix B. The shock location was predicted to be between pressure gages three and four which is between 3 and 3.75 mm down the nozzle. This is also shown in appendix B. The uncertainty of the gage pressures are 11pa +/- 1% of the total range and the temperature uncertainty was within a degree.

IV.

Conclusion

Both of the plots of pressure vs position came out as expected. As the pressure differences between the inlet and outlet pressures decreased, so did the pressure ratios in the nozzle. Since the exit pressure of the nozzle needs to meet the back pressure, the ratios of inlet pressure to a pressure at any given point in the nozzle will be directly related to the difference between the inlet and outlet pressure differences. The lower the pressure differences, the lower the pressure ratios, which is shown in both figure 1 and 2. Figure 3 came out as expected as well. The amount of air traveling through the nozzle in run 1 decreased as the pressure in approached the pressure out. This is due to the same concept above. A pressure difference is needed to move stagnant air, the larger the difference, the larger amount of air will be moving. The force the air is putting on the nozzle seems a little high but may be reasonable due to the fact that the air is moving supersonic. The prediction of the location of the shock in the tube may be wrong. It was predicted based off of figures and the back pressure. Back pressure is the key player in controlling where and even if a shock is formed. Overall, this lab proved that the pressure difference of Pin and Pout, and the area ratio of A/At are the key controllers of the flow in a nozzle. By designing the area and controlling the pressures you can accomplish any desired result. Furthermore, the back pressure has complete control over the shock in the tube. Once the back pressure is low enough you create a supersonic flow. As you continue to lower the back pressure, the shock will continue to move further down the nozzle. At a certain back pressure, you can force the shock to be right at the exit of the nozzle. Once the flow is at M=1 at the throat, the flow is considered to be choked. This means that air cannot travel through this point any faster than it currently is, regardless of what you do to the pressures. Potential improvements for this lab would be to get more precise measurement devices, a larger pressure tank so the pressures can be held more constant throughout the lab, and to have more points measuring pressure in the nozzle so the plots can come out more accurate. Overall, the experimental results matched the theory and the objectives were met.

Appendix A

inlet P(kPa) p1 p2 p3(kPa) p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 m* (g/s) T_inlet T_outlet (C) Outlet p 200.8346 130.8346 110.8346 100.8346 120.8346 140.8346 135.8346 145.8346 155.8346 1.4 22 22 150.8346 300.8346 195.8346 160.8346 100.8346 80.8346 105.8346 110.8346 130.8346 140.8346 2.2 22 22 150.8346 400.8346 280.8346 220.8346 140.8346 120.8346 105.8346 80.8346 120.8346 140.8346 3.2 22 21 150.8346 500.8346 320.8346 275.8346 280.8346 140.8346 120.8346 100.8346 100.8346 120.8346 3.85 22 22 150.8346 600.8346 380.8346 330.8346 220.8346 180.8346 140.8346 105.8346 100.8346 100.8346 4.8 22 22 150.8346 600.8346 380.8346 340.8346 220.8346 180.8346 140.8346 105.8346 120.8346 180.8346 4.6 22 22 200.8346 600.8346 380.8346 330.8346 220.8346 180.8346 200.8346 240.8346 260.8346 280.8346 4.6 22 22 300.8346 600.8346 390.8346 340.8346 220.8346 300.8346 340.8346 360.8346 370.8346 390.8346 4.7 22 22 400.8346 600.8346 380.8346 340.8346 380.8346 420.8346 460.8346 480.8346 480.8346 490.8346 4.6 22 22 500.8346

Uncertainty: Pressure Temperature

Pin/P

Plus or Minus 11 Pa 1/2 Degree

1 0.651454 0.650971 0.700625 0.6406 0.633843 0.633843 0.633843 0.650486 0.633843 1 0.75 2 0.55187 0.534628 0.550937 0.55075 0.550625 0.567269 0.550625 0.567269 0.567269 2 1.5 3 0.502078 0.335183 0.351353 0.560733 0.367546 0.367546 0.367546 0.367546 0.633843 3 2.25 4 0.601662 0.268701 0.301458 0.2812 0.300972 0.300972 0.300972 0.500695 0.700417 4 3 5 0.701247 0.351803 0.264036 0.241266 0.234398 0.234398 0.334259 0.567269 0.766991 5 3.75 6 0.676351 0.368424 0.201666 0.201333 0.176146 0.176146 0.400833 0.600556 0.800278 6 4.5 7 0.726143 0.434905 0.301458 0.201333 0.167824 0.201111 0.43412 0.617199 0.800278 7 5.25 8 0.775935 0.468146 0.351353 0.241266 0.167824 0.300972 0.467408 0.650486 0.816921 8 6

Distance(mm)

References Lab 2: Experimental Investigation of Compressible Nozzle Flow lab handout.