International J ournal of Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering (IJ ARME) ISSN: 2231 5950, Volume-3, Issue-1, 2013

54
THRUST FORCE ANALYSIS OF SPIKE BELL NOZZLE

V.GOPALA DEVA KOWSIK
1
, CHRIS JOSEPH
2
, M.P.ARUN JUSTIN
3
, R.SAINATH4,
D.THANIKAIVEL MURUGAN
5
, S.ILAKKIYA
6

1to4
: UG Students,
5&6
: Assistant Professor
Department of Aeronautical Engineering, J eppiaar Engineering College, Chennai 600119.


Abstract- Aerospike nozzle is often described as an inside-out bell shaped nozzle and named for its prominent spike located
at centre. This project mainly focuses on design of various types of nozzles such as aerospike, truncated aerospike and spike
bell nozzles. In theoretical approach, the efficiency of rocket nozzles is calculated with design parameters such as throat
area, exit area, chamber pressure and so on. From theoretical approach it is inferred that the spike bell nozzle has an
increased value of thrust when compared to other nozzle types. So meshing and internal flow analysis is carried out for spike
bell nozzle alone by using ANSYS CFX 13.0 software. From this flow analysis it can be inferred that the exit Mach number
of spike bell nozzle comes close to the theoretical design exit Mach number .Also the flow simulations for the spike bell
nozzle is carried out for various parameters such as pressure, temperature and velocity.

Keywords- aerospike, altitude, Mach number, bell nozzle, efficiency, thrust


1.0 INTRODUCTION

The most popular altitude-compensating rocket
nozzle to date is the Aerospike nozzle, the origin of
which dates back to Rocketdyne in the 1950s. This
type of nozzle was designed to allow for better
overall performance than conventional nozzle
designs. This concept was thoroughly explored by the
Germans during the time of the world war wherein
they were to be posted as a threat for their rivals. It
was after the unveiling of the Lockheed Martins X-
33 concept that the performance of the aerospike
nozzle has received its fame in research. The
structure of this type of nozzle roots on its advantages
of minimising the losses encountered in the previous
versions of the conventional types. The literature
survey has been thoroughly studied and their
researches were beneficial. Some of them
are,[1]D.S.J ain,D.A.Pinto,R.A.Joshi, S.S.Sawant,
and Dipak.J .Choudari has examined the performance
of Aerospike nozzle against the conventional bell
nozzles and proved that the efficiency of aerospike
nozzle outweighs bell nozzle at different working
altitudes. [2] Trong.T.Bui, J ames.E.Murray has
performed a flight research on aerospike nozzle using
high power solid rockets and their results are
compared with ground test results. They have stated
that the rockets reached a Mach number of 1.6 with a
very high efficiency of 0.96. [3] Gerald Hagemann,
Gennady. E.Dumnov has researched on altitude
adaptive nozzles such as dual bell nozzles and plug
nozzles. Their flow phenomena were experimented
and numerical simulations were conducted and they
have highlighted the superior performance of them.

2.0 AEROSPIKE NOZZLE

The aerospike nozzle has a central contoured ramp
leading into a spike in the center and is open to the
atmosphere on both sides. An aerospike nozzle is
often referred to as an altitude-compensating nozzle,
because of its specific design capability of
maintaining aerodynamic efficiency as altitude
increases and thus throughout the entire trajectory.


Figure 1: Theoretical performance comparison
Courtesy: Huzel and Huang, 1967

From Figure 1 it is shown that the aerospike nozzle is
substantially better at low altitudes whereas the bell
and cone nozzles are likely to be over expanded.

2.1 OPERATION OF NOZZLE
At the outer cowl lip, the gas expands to the
atmospheric pressure immediately, and then causes
serious expansion waves propagating inward at an
Thrust Force Analysis of Spike Bell Nozzle
International J ournal of Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering (IJ ARME) ISSN: 2231 5950, Volume-3, Issue-1, 2013
55
angle through the gas stream. At the location where
the last expansion wave intercepts the spike,


Figure 2: Truncated aerospike operation
Courtesy: Hill and Peterson

the gas pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure.
For the over expanded case, the spike changes the gas
to be directed outward and thus compression waves
form and propagate outward at an angle and reflect
off the jet boundary as expansion waves. This process
then begins again. The aerospike features a series of
small combustion chambers along the ramp that shoot
hot gases along the ramp's outside surface to produce
thrust in a spike-shaped plume, hence the name
"aerospike." The ramp serves as the inner wall of the
bell nozzle, while atmospheric pressure serves as the
"invisible" outer wall. The combustion gases race
along the inner wall (the ramp) and the outer wall
(atmospheric pressure) to produce the thrust force.

2.2 MERITS
The aerospike nozzle has 90% overall better
performance than the conventional bell-shaped
nozzle. The efficiency at low altitudes is much higher
because the atmospheric pressure restricts the
expansion of the exhaust gas. A vehicle using an
aerospike nozzle also saves 25-30% more fuel at low
altitudes. At high altitudes, the aerospike nozzle is
able to expand the engine exhaust to a larger effective
nozzle area ratio. An aerospike nozzle with an
expansion ratio of 200:1 to 300:1 can increase the
thrust and specific impulse by five to six percent. The
aerospike design is suitable for Single Stage to Orbit
(SSTO) flight. Other advantages are that the
aerospike nozzle makes better use of the base area,
and has higher thrust efficiency and thus a higher
average specific impulse.

2.3 DEMERITS
The after body induces heat, and to cool means that
the performance reduces along with the pressure
against the nozzle. Another issue is weight, which as
previously stated can be resolved through truncation.
Finally, the performance is more difficult to evaluate
because of the complex flow field and the turbulence
involved.
3.0 METHODOLOGY

A detailed study of concepts for the project is carried
out. A procedural theoretical approach of nozzles is
carried out and the models of nozzles namely the full
length aerospike, truncated aerospike, and the spike
bell types are created using Pro-E Wildfire 2.0
software. The next step goes to the meshing and
analysis of the spike bell model using ANSYS 13.0
CFX software. The behaviour of flow along the spike
bell nozzle is thus obtained and comparison on the
basis of Mach number is henceforth done using
theoretical calculations.

4.0 THEORETICAL APPROACH

The theoretical approach can be identified as the core
section of the project whereas the efficiency analysis
is carried out with design parameters.

Rocket nozzle efficiency,

C
=
ActuaI thrust cocIfIcIcnt
IdcaI thrust cocIfIcIcnt

c
=
Cthrust .a
Cthrust .I

Now,
Actual Thrust Coefficient =
Thrust
P
c
.A
t

Ideal thrust Coefficient is given by,
C
thrust .i
=(A
-
P
c
_
(
2k
2
k-1
[
2
k+1

R+1
R-1
_1 -(
P
e
P
c
)
R-1
R
_ +
(P
c
-P
a
)A
c


Prandtl-Meyer Function is given by,

=_
k+1
k-1
tan
-1
_
k-1
k+1
(m
2
-1) - tan
-1
(m
2
-1)

Thrust force is given by,
F =(A
-
P
c
_
(
2k
2
k-1
[
2
k+1

R+1
R-1
_1 -(
P
e
P
c
)
R-1
R
_ +(P
c
-P
a
)A
c

cos )

Table 1: Design parameters


The table 1 shows the values of the necessary
parameters to design the nozzles. These values are
taken from [2] and they are set as standard
Thrust Force Analysis of Spike Bell Nozzle
International J ournal of Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering (IJ ARME) ISSN: 2231 5950, Volume-3, Issue-1, 2013
56
dimensions for the purpose of various nozzle designs.
Hence the performance parameters are calculated and
their results are compared theoretically.

5.0 DESIGN OF NOZZLES

The design of the nozzle is carried out according to
the dimensions which can be cited in Figure 3.


Figure 3: Aerospike Nozzle Design
Courtesy: Dryden Aerospike Rocket test

Using the afore mentioned dimension as a base the
forthcoming models are made with Pro-E Wildfire
software and the new model is also created by
combining the bell nozzle and truncated aerospike
nozzle shapes.


Figure 4: Pro-E Model of Aerospike nozzle


Figure 5: Pro-E Model of Truncated Aerospike nozzle

Figure 6: Pro-E Model of Spike Bell nozzle (Side View)


Figure 7: .Pro-E Model of Spike Bell nozzle (Side View)

6.0 MESHED GEOMETRY

As said above in nozzle design the spike bell nozzle
is modelled and is further meshed using ANSYS 13.0
CFX Software. The mesh is of unstructured type.2D
mesh contains triangular elements and the 3D mesh
contains tetragonal mesh elements.


Figure 8: Meshed Model of Spike Bell nozzle

7.0 FLOW ANALYSIS

The flow analysis for the spike bell nozzle is carried
out using ANSYS 13.0 CFX software. In this process
first the models are imported, meshed and flow
analysis is carried out in major three steps;
Thrust Force Analysis of Spike Bell Nozzle
International J ournal of Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering (IJ ARME) ISSN: 2231 5950, Volume-3, Issue-1, 2013
57
1. The first step is CFX-PRE, where the
meshed model is imported and boundaries
are created and corresponding boundary
conditions are assigned to the boundaries.
2. The second step is CFX-SOLVER, where
the solutions are obtained by solving the
equations and process is highlighted in terms
of codes and graphs and once the run is over
it reaches next step.
3. The third step is CFX-POST, where the
corresponding contours are created for
following major parameters such as
Pressure, Temperature and Mach number.

Boundary conditions are detailed as follows,

Table 2: Boundary Conditions


The Figure 9 represents the Mach number volume
rendering of the spike bell nozzle wherein at the exit
section the flow reaches a mach number of nearly
equal to 2.8 which equals the design mach number
value which is used previously in theoretical section.


Figure 9: Mach number plot of Spike Bell nozzle

The following figures shown below depict the flow
behaviour of the spike bell nozzle.
Figure 10: Temperature contour of Spike Bell nozzle

The Figure 10 shows the variation of the temperature
about the spike bell nozzle which the range nears to
1500 K.


Figure 11:.Pressure contour of Spike Bell nozzle

The Figure 11 represents the variation of pressure
about the spike bell nozzle where the pressure
increases along the inlet region and then decreases
after the throat.


Figure 12: Velocity contour of Spike Bell nozzle

The Figure 12 represents the velocity contour for the
spike bell nozzle where the streamline travels
Thrust Force Analysis of Spike Bell Nozzle
International J ournal of Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering (IJ ARME) ISSN: 2231 5950, Volume-3, Issue-1, 2013
58
throughout the nozzle. It initially has a low value up
to the throat and after it the velocity increases
drastically up to the exit.

8.1 RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Table 3: Results


The Figure 13 represents the thrust force results at
exit section, which is obtained from theoretical
calculations.


Figure 13: Plot of Nozzle length v/s Thrust force

Figure 14 shows the velocity variation of spike bell
nozzle along its length which is obtained from flow
analysis results.


Figure 14: Plot of Nozzle length v/s Velocity

It can be concluded that the thrust output of the spike
bell nozzle is higher in comparison to bell nozzle and
the truncated aerospike nozzle. In the flow simulation
analysis the nozzle reaches a Mach number value
which nearly equals to the theoretical design exit
Mach number. Thus we expect our project to be
useful to the aerospace industry in the near future.
8.0 FUTURE PROGRESS

The spike bell nozzle design is modified with a
clustered arrangement at the throat section. It is
believed that the nozzle would achieve an even higher
performance by making an optimal use of the flow.



Figure 15: Model of Clustered Spike Bell nozzle

By achieving above task mentioned, this model is
further implemented into below rocket model and
further research is carried out.


Figure 16: Engineering drawing of Rocket design
Courtesy: Dryden Aerospike Rocket test


Figure 17: Model of NLV Stage Characteristics
Courtesy: CALVEIN Team
Thrust Force Analysis of Spike Bell Nozzle
International J ournal of Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering (IJ ARME) ISSN: 2231 5950, Volume-3, Issue-1, 2013
59
After a successful implementation of spike bell
nozzle in above mentioned model with various
analysis carried out and next the stage and pressure
fed fuel system is built with reference to Figure 17.
And also fuel selection and gas selection is made with
an most important part which falls on material
selection (mostly composite materials) is carried out
to obtain suitable mass fraction at each stage. And
also various parameters for each stage such as dry
mass, Chamber pressure, Sea level Thrust, Vacuum
thrust and Separation/Burnout (for time and altitude)
are identified.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As a team we gratefully thank Mr.D.Thanikaivel
Murugan, Assistant professor, Department of
Aeronautical Engineering, J eppiaar Engineering
College, Chennai for his continuous support
throughout this project. I also extend my hearty
thanks to Ms.S.Ilakkiya, Assistant Professor and
Mr.G.Prabhakaran, Professor and Head of this
department for their encouraging words and helpful
support in time. I would also thank Mr.K.Prakash,
Assistant professor, R.V.S School of engineering for
his guidance and support. I finally thank my Parents
and friends for their valuable suggestions and
constant support throughout the project.

REFERENCES

[1]. D.S.J ain, D.A.Pinto, R.A.J oshi, S.S.Sawant,
Dipak.J .Choudari,(2012), Efficiency analysis of an
Aerospike nozzle, International journal of engineering
research and application, ISSN: 2248-9622.

[2]. Trong T.Bui, And J ames E.Murray, 2005 Flight Research Of
Aerospike Nozzle Using High Power Solid Rockets, 41st
AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE J oint Propulsion Conference &
Exhibit, AIAA-2005-3797.

[3]. Gerald Hagemann, Gennady E.Dumnov, Hans Immich,
Thong Van Nguyen, 1998, Advanced Rocket
NozzlesJ ournal of Propulsion and Power, Vol 14, No.5.

[4]. Klauss W.Gross, Performance Analysis of Aerospike
Engines.

[5]. Eric Besnard, Hsun Hu Chen, TomMuller, J ohn Garvey,
Design Manufacturing and Test of a Plug Nozzle Rocket
Engine.AIAA-02-4038.

[6]. Mehdi Nazarinia, Arash Naghib-Lahouti and Elhaum
Tolouei, Design and Numerical Analysis of Aerospike
Nozzles
a. with Different Plug Shapes to Compare their Performance
with a Conventional Nozzle,AIAC-11 Eleventh Australian
International Aerospace Congress, Fifteenth National Space
Engineering Symposium, WC0023.

[7]. Temitayo A. Ladeinde, 2009, Performance comparison
between a full length and truncated aerospike nozzle

[8]. Marcello Onfori, 2002, Plug Nozzles : Summary of Flow
Features and Engine Performance, AIAA 2002-0584

[9]. Eric Besnard and J ohn Garvey, 2004, Aerospike Engines for
Nanosat and Small launch Vehicles (NLV/SLV), Space
2004 Conference and Exhibit, AIAA 2004-6005

[10]. WANG Chang- Hui, LIU Yu and LIAO Yun-fei, 2006,
Studies on Aerodynamic Behaviour and Performance of
Aerospike Nozzles, Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, Vol.
19, No. 1.