Gas Dynamics

Lecture 9: Prandtl-Meyer Flow

Previous Lecture
 Introduction

 Equation of motion for a straight oblique shockwave

 Oblique-shock reflections

Gas Dynamics Lecture 9 I.Hassan 2

Present Lecture
 Introduction

 Flow equation for Prandtl-Meyer expansion fan

 Maximum turning angle for Prandtl-Meyer flow

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Introduction
 When a supersonic compression takes place at a concave corner,
an oblique shock occur at the corner

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Introduction
 When a supersonic flow passes over a convex corner, a more
gradual type of supersonic expansion takes place called Prantl-
Meyer expansion fan

Gas Dynamics Lecture 9 I.Hassan 5

 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
 The supersonic expansion flow around a convex corner involves a
smooth, gradual change in flow properties. This Prandtl-Meyer
expansion fan consists of a series of Mach waves, centered at
the convex corner

 The initial wave is inclined to the approach flow at an angle

1
1  sin ( )
1

M1

 The final wave in the fan is inclined to the downstream flow at

1

an angle 2  sin 1
( )
M2
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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
 Consider first a single Mach wave, expanding and deflecting the
supersonic flow through a very small angle magnitude Δ=dv. With
no pressure gradient in the tangential direction, there is no
change of the tangential velocity component across the wave

 Expression for Vt upstream: Vt  V cos 

 Expression for Vt downstream Vt  (V  dV) cos(   dv)

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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan

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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
 Since dv is a very small angle, we may use the following
approximation: cos dv  1 andsin dv  dv

 Hence: V cos   (V  dv) cos(   sin dv)

 Expanding yields:

V cos   V cos   cos dV  V sin dv  sin dVdv

 The last term, containing the product of two differential can be
dropped in comparison with the other term. Simplifying, we
obtain: dV
 tan dv
V

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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
1
 Since sin = , it follows that
M
sin  sin  1
tan =  
cos  1  sin2  M2  1
dV 1
Therefore :  dv (I)
V M 1
2

 From the definition of the Mach number for a perfect gas with
constant specific heat, we have V  M  RT .

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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
 Taking the logarithm of each side and differentiating, we have:
dV dM 1 dT
  (II)
V M 2 T

 Also, for this adiabatic flow, there is no change in stagnation

temperature: T  const  T(1 
 1
M2 )
0
2
 Taking the logarithm of each side and differentiating, we get:

dT (  1)MdM
0  (III)
T  1 2
1 M
2
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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
 Combining equation (I), (II) and (III), and simplifying, we get:
 
 M2  1  dM
dv   
 1    1 M2  M
 2 
 The equation above can be integrated to determine the change
of Mach number associated with the turning of the supersonic
flow through a finite angle  
v2 M2
 M2  1  dM
v dv  M    1 2  M
1 1
1  M 
 2 
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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
 For the purpose of tabulating the result, it is convenient to
define a reference state. Let the reference state to be v=0 at
M=1 so that:

  1   1 2  

v tan 
1
(M  1)   tan ( M  1) 
1 2

  1    1  
 
 The symbol v, which is called the Prandtl-Meyer function,
represents the angle through which a stream, initially at Mach 1,
must be expanded to reach a supersonic number M

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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan

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 Flow Equation for a Prandtl-Meyer
Expansion Fan
 To determine the angle through which a flow would have to be
turned to expand from M1 to M2, with M1 not equal to 1, it is
necessary only to subtract the value of v1 at M1 from the value
v2 at M2

  2  1  v2  v1

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Maximum Turning Angle
 As M2infinitive (or, equivalently, as the static pressure p20),
the turning angle approaches the following finite value that only

depends upon γ:
  1 
vmax  1
  1 2
 

 For γ =1.4, the maximum turning angle is 130.4541°. This

represent the largest turn that a stream initially at Mach 1 can
make

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Maximum Turning Angle
 If the flow is initially supersonic, the maximum turn can be
obtained by first determining the value of the Prandtl-Meyer
function at the given Mach number and then subtracting this
value from vmax. For example:

 If M1=2.0, v1=26.3798°

 Therefore: Δvmax=130.4541 °-26.3798 °=104.0743 °

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Maximum Turning Angle
 This result has significance, for example, in the determination
of the shape of the exhaust plume of an under-expanded nozzle
discharging into vacuum of space. To prevent the impingement of
rocket exhaust gases on a part of a spacecraft

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Example 1
 A uniform supersonic flow of air (γ = 1.4) at Mach 2.6, with
stagnation pressure of 5 MPa and stagnation temperature of
1000 K, expands around a 20° convex corner. Determine the
downstream Mach number, the stagnation pressure and
temperature, and the static pressure and temperature.

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Solution

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Solution

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Example 2
 A reservoir containing air (γ = 1.4) at 2 MPa is connected to
ambient air at 101 kPa through a converging-diverging nozzle
designed to produce flow at Mach 2.0, with axial flow at the
nozzle exit plane (Figure P7.4). Under these conditions, the
nozzle is under-expanded, with a Prandtl Meyer expansion fan at
the exit. Find the flow direction after the initial expansion fan.
How does this turning angle affect the net axial thrust forces
exerted by the fluid on the nozzle?

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Example 2

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Solution

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Example 3
 A gas (γ = 1.44, R = 256 J/kg·K) flows towards a convex corner
with M1 = 3 and T1 = 300 K. Determine the downstream Mach
number M2 and the downstream velocity V2 if the wall is turned
15°. Repeat the calculations if the wall is turned 30°.

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Solution

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Solution

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Solution

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