AS301, IITM, Lecture 2 (06/08/2007)

Thrust:
& e U eq
T = m& eU e + Ae ( p e p a ) = m

p pa
where U eq = U e + e
Ae
m&
Maximum Thrust:
dT = m& e dU e + dAe ( pe pa ) + Ae dpe = 0
*** derivation of differential form of momentum equn. awaited ***

from momentum equation eU e Ae dU e + Ae dpe = m& e dU e + Ae dpe = 0

dT = dAe ( pe p a ) = 0 , or pe = pa

d 2T = d 2 Ae ( p e p a ) + dAe dp e
d 2T

at pe = pa

= dAe dp e

Now dAe dpe < 0 as dAe > 0 and dpe < 0

Therefore, pe = pa refers to optimum expansion. Under-expansion, pe > pa
implies additional force is remaining unused and over-expansion, pe < pa can be
noted as beginning of negative contribution to thrust generation.

Exhaust gas velocity (Ue) in terms of combustion chamber properties

Ideal analysis: one dimensional, steady state, isentropic flow. The gas is
assumed to be a perfect gas with constant properties
Pc
Tc
Vc

Pe
Ue
Te

Conservation of energy
*** derivation from Integral for momentum equation awaited***

2 C p (Tc Te ) = U e2 Vc2

----(1)

C p Cv = R ,

Cp
Cv

= and R =

eliminating Cv we get C p = R

Ru
MW

Ru

MW 1

for isentropic flow the pressure temperature relationship follows

Te pe
=
Tc pc

r 1
r

r 1

p
e

, or Tc Te = Tc 1
pc

----(2)

Substituting for (Tc Te ) in (1)

T
2R
Ue = c u
MW 1

1 pe + V 2
c
pc

1/ 2

(3)

Now

Vc = gas flow velocity in combustion chamber is very small and hence

neglected
p
pe = outside atmospheric pressure < < pc e is very small.
pc
U e = const

Tc
MW

(4)

Note: Exhaust velocity, U e and thus the specific impulse, I sp is directly

proportional to combustion temperature, Tc and inversely proportional to the
molecular weight, M W of combustion gases a criterion for selecting propellant.

Specific Impulse ( I sp ) of representative space propulsion system