Compressible Flows (Lectures 54 to 58)

Q1. Choose the correct answer

(i) Select the expression that gives the speed of a sound wave relative to the medium
of propagation which is an ideal gas( γ =c p cv )
(a) γRT
(b) γρ p
(c) ∂p ∂ρ
(d) c p RT
[Ans.(a)]
(ii) The flow upstream of a shock is always
(a) subsonic
(b) supersonic
(c) sonic
(d) incompressible
[Ans.(b)]

Q2.
Air flows steadily and isentropically into an aircraft inlet at a rate of 100 kg/s. At section
1 where the cross-sectional area is 0.464 m2, the Mach number, temperature and absolute
pressure are found to be 3, -60°C and 15.0 kPa respectively. Determine the velocity and
cross-sectional area downstream where = T 138°C .
Solution
We know that
 γ −1 
=
T01 T1 1 + Ma12 
 2 
 1.4 − 1
= 213 1 + ( 3.0 )  =
2
596 K
 2 
Let the downstream where = T 138°C be designated by 2. Then, one can write
T02  γ − 1 
= 1 + Ma22 
T2  2 
For isentropic flow, we get
T02 = T01
12
 2  T01 
12
 2  596 
Hence, =
Ma   − 1=  1.4 − 1  411 − 1=
 1.5
 γ − 1  T2
2
   
Velocity of air at downstream is found to be
V2 =Ma2C2 =Ma2 ( γ RT2 ) =1.5 × (1.4 × 287 × 411) =610 m/s
12 12

1 1 1
ρ 2  p2  γ  T2  γ −1  411 1.4−1
Now, = =  =   =  5.17
ρ1  p1   T1   213 

1
The density of air at section 1 is given by
p1 15 ×103
=ρ1 = = 0.245 kg/m3
RT1 287 × 213
Mass flow rate can be expressed as
m = ρ 2V2 A2
Cross-sectional area at downstream is
m m 100
= A2 = = = 0.129 m 2
ρ 2V2 5.17 ρ1V2 5.17 × 0.245 × 610

Q3.
Air is to be expanded through a converging-diverging nozzle by a frictionless adiabatic
process from a pressure of 1.10 MPa (abs) and a temperature of 115°C to a pressure of
141 kPa(abs). Determine the throat and exit areas for a well designed shockless nozzle if
the mass flow rate is 2 kg/s.
Solution
The flow situation being considered is shown in the figure below.

141 kPa
1.1 MPa

We know that
γ
p0  γ −1 2
γ −1
= 1 + Ma 
p 2
Mach number at the exit is
12
  γ −1

   γ

− 1
2 p
=Ma1 
0

γ −1 p 
  1  
 
12
  1.4 −1

 2  1.1  
− 1
1.4
=  = 2.0
1.4 − 1  0.141   
  
We know that
T0 γ −1 2
= 1+ Ma1
T1 2
Temperature of air at the exit is

2
 T0 388
=T1 = = 216 K
γ −1 2 1.4 − 1 2
1+ Ma1 1 + ( 2)
2 2
Velocity of air at exit is found to be
V1 = Ma1C1 = Ma1 ( γ RT1 ) = 2.0 × (1.4 × 287 × 216 ) =589 m/s
12 12

The density of air at exit is given by

p1 141×103
=ρ1 = = 2.27 kg/m3
RT1 287 × 216
Since Ma1 = 2.0 , nozzle must be chocked and Mat = 1.0 .
Pressure at throat is
p0 1.1×106
= pt = γ
= 581 kPa
−
3.5
γ −  1.4 1 2
1 + 2 (1) 
 1 2
γ − 1

1 + 2 Mat 
Temperature at throat is
T0 388
= Tt = = 323 K
γ −1 2 1.4 − 1 2
1+ Mat 1 + (1)
2 2
The density of air at throat is given by
pt 581×103
=ρt = = 6.27 kg/m3
RTt 287 × 323
Velocity of air at throat is found to be
V= Mat C= Mat ( γ RTt ) = 1.0 (1.4 × 287 × 323) = 360 m/s
12 12
t t

Mass flow rate of air can be expressed as

= m ρ= 1V1 A1 ρtVt At
Cross-sectional area at throat is
m 2
= At = = 8.86 ×10−4 m 2
ρtVt 6.27 × 360
Cross-sectional area at exit is
m 2
A= = = 1.5 ×10−3 m 2
1
ρ1V1 2.27 × 589

3
Q4.
Air, at a stagnation pressure of 7.2 MPa (abs) and a stagnation temperature of 1100 K,
flows isentropically through a converging-diverging nozzle having a throat area of 0.01
m2. Determine the velocity at the downstream section where the Mach number is 4.0.
Also find the mass flow rate.
Solution
The flow situation being considered is shown in the figure below.

T0 = 1100 K
Ma1 = 4.0
p0 = 7.2 MPa

We know that
T0 γ −1 2
= 1+ Ma
T 2
Temperature of air at the exit is
T0 1100
= T1 = = 262 K
γ −1 2 1.4 − 1 2
1+ Ma1 1 + ( 4)
2 2
Velocity of air at exit is found to be
V= Ma1C= Ma1 ( γ RT1 ) = 4.0 (1.4 × 287 × 262 ) = 1300 m/s
12 12
1 1

Since Ma1 = 4.0 , nozzle must be chocked and Mat = 1.0

Pressure and temperature at throat are found to be
p0 7.2 ×106
= pt = γ
= 3.8 MPa
−
3.5
 γ −1  1.4 1 2
1 + 2 (1) 
2
γ − 1

1 + 2 Mat 
T0 1100
= Tt = = 917 K
γ −1 2 1.4 − 1 2
1+ Mat 1 + (1)
2 2
The density of air at downstream is given by
p1 3.8 ×106
=ρ1 = = 14.4 kg/m3
RT1 287 × 917
Velocity of air at throat is found to be
V= Mat C= Mat ( γ RTt ) = 1.0 (1.4 × 287 × 917 ) = 607 m/s
12 12
t t

Mass flow rate of air is

m = ρtVt At = 14.4 × 607 × 0.01 = 87.4m/s