Design of Supersonic Intake / Nozzle

P M V Subbarao
Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department
I I T Delhi
Meeting the Cruising Conditions
Design Analysis
( )
( ) 1 2
1
2
*
) (
2
1
1
1
2
) (
1 ) (

+
(

)
`

+
)
`

+
=

x M
x M A
x A
For a known value of Mach number, it is easy to calculate
area ratio.
Throat area sizing is the first step in the design.
If we know the details of the resource/requirements, we
can calculate the size of throat.

( )
( ) 1 2
1
0
0
2
1
1
1

+
)
`

+
=

T
p
R A
m
throat

Cryogenic Rocket Engines

( )
( ) 1 2
1
0
0
2
1
1
1

+
)
`

+
=

T
p
R A
m
throat

A ratio of LO
2
:LH
2
=6:1
T
0
= 3300 K.
P
0
= 20.4 Mpa
Specifications of A Rocket Engine
Specific Impulse is a commonly used measure of performance
For Rocket Engines,and for steady state-engine operation is defined
As:
I
sp
=
1
g
0
F
thrust

m
propellant
g
0
= 9.806
m
sec
2
(mks)
At 100% Throttle a RE has the Following performance
characteristics
F
vacuum
= 2298 kNt
Isp
vacuum
= 450 sec.

Specific impulse of various propulsion technologies
Engine
"Ve" effective
exhaust
velocity
(m/s, N s/kg)
Specific
impulse
(s)
Energy per kg
(MJ/kg)
Turbofan jet engine

300 3000 43
Solid rocket 2500 250 3.0
Bipropellant liquid rocket 4400 450 9.7
Plasma Rocket 29 000 3000 430
VASIMR 290 000 30 000 43 000
The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket
Design Procedure
I
sp
=
1
g
0
F
thrust

m
propellant
g
0
= 9.806
m
sec
2
(mks)
Select a technology : I
sp
& F
thrust

Estimate the mass flow rate of propellent.
( )
( ) 1 2
1
0
0
2
1
1
1

+
)
`

+
=

T
p
R A
m
throat

Carryout heat release or combustion calculations and

estimate
T
0
& p
0

( )
( ) 1 2
1
2
*
) (
2
1
1
1
2
) (
1 ) (

+
(

)
`

+
)
`

+
=

x M
x M A
x A
Compute properties of gas at each location.
T
0
T
= 1+
1
( )
2
M
2
p
0
p
=
T
0
T

1
= 1+
1
( )
2
M
2

1
Terminate the design when local static pressure is almost zero.
This is exit of the nozzle.
Compute Maximum Mach number at the exit.
This Mach number will generate the required thrust.
Plot Flow Properties Along Nozzle Length
A/A
*

Mach Number
M
^
( j +1) = M
^
( j )
F(M
^
( j ) )
cF
cM
|
\

|
.
|
|( j )
Temperature
T(x) =
T
0
1+
1
2
M(x)
2
T
0
= 3300K
T
throat
= 2933.3 K
Pressure
P
0
= 20.4Mpa
P
throat
= 11.32 MPa
P(x) =
P
0
1+
1
2
M(x)
2
|
\

|
.
|

1
Any Doubts !!!
The maximum number corresponding to an almost
zero static pressure of the gas.

This design is meant to work only in Vacuum !!!

What is its performance while launching ???

What is the thrust at sea level ?

Will the nozzle exit flow be a supersonic ?
SEA Level Performance
Ambient Pressure is maximum at Sea level.
The design conditions are vacuum.
Will the mass flow rate be same ?
How to Calculate the corresponding Mass flow rate of
propellant ?
Will p
0
and T
0
remain same ?
What happens if it is not possible to obtain the design
mass flow rate ?
One needs to know the Mach number distribution for a
given geometric design!

Will it satisfy the throat condition?

( )
( ) 1 2
1
2
0
0
) (
2
1
1
) ( ) (

+
)
`

+
=

x M
x M x A
T
p
R
m

p
0
p
=
T
0
T

1
= 1+
1
( )
2
M
2

1
Find the Maximum Mach number at sea level

Calculate mass flow rate possible at sea level.

( )
( ) 1 2
1
0
0
2
1
1
1

+
)
`

+
=

T
p
R A
m
throat