Basics of Compressible Fluid Flow

“Compressible fluid” is known as those fluids if its density varies with pressure caused by the flow. If
density does not change or changes slightly then it is known as an "incompressible fluid".

“Compressible or incompressible fluid” is a subject of gas dynamics or chemical engineering. This is often
considered to be the branch of “fluid mechanics”. Fluids are classified into two forms such as
“compressible and incompressible fluid”. There is no significant change in density as “incompressible
fluid flow”. Generally, fluids(Liquid) are considered to be “incompressible”. Water is a perfect example of
“incompressible fluid”.

Fluid flow

Particular types of fluids deal with fluid statistics and different fluid dynamics. Fluid is not stationary; it is
always in motion. Fluid flow is a subject of “fluid mechanics” and is particularly related to “fluid
dynamics”. In general, fluid flow is motion or movement of fluid that is due to numerous unbalanced
forces. Fluid continues to be in motion until all unbalanced forces are applied to it.

Types of fluid flow

Whenever a fluid is in motion it has certain characteristics, nothing but the fluid has a certain amount of
volume, density, pressure, direction, and velocity. Based upon these characteristics of fluid, fluid is
divided into certain types:

Steady and unsteady flow:

In case of “steady flow”, fluids have certain sorts of attributes such as pressure, density, volume, and
velocity. All these physical characteristics of fluids remain constant with respect to time in a fluid flow at
a given point v. For example, we can take flow of fluid through a pipe which is having pressure or has a
density and has no velocity so that the flow of fluid through the pipe is having the same cross-sectional
area from inlet to outlet. Note that, there will be no change in the physical properties of fluid over the
period of time. So this type of fluid is termed as “steady flow”. In case of “unsteady flow”, all these
physical characteristics can change with respect to time, that is why it is termed as “unsteady flow”.

Uniform and non-uniform flow:

In case of “uniform flow,” the particular flowing fluid is having a certain amount of velocity which is
proportionally greater than the flowing fluid. The condition of the uniformity or non-uniformity of fluid
flow can be stated as:
Flowing fluid >> Velocity

If the velocity of a fluid is constant over the period of time, then it is termed as “uniform flow”. If the
velocity of fluid does not change over a period of time, then it is termed as “non-uniform flow”. For
example, let us consider a pipe that has the same cross-sectional area from inlet to outlet. In this case,
suppose it tapered cross-section so when a particular fluid flows through the pipe then the pressure at
inlet will not be equal to pressure at outlet. It means the velocity of inlet and outlet is not equal so the
flow becomes “non-uniform flow”. “Uniform flow” only deals with velocity of flowing fluid. If the velocity
of a fluid is constant over a period of time, then flow is uniform, if velocity is not constant over period,
then flow is non-uniform.

Laminar and turbulent flow:

In case of “laminar flow”, a particular flow is having a length of all the particles in flowing fluid moves in a
straight line. It follows a straight path that does not cross over another. In this case, flow is having layers
that do not interchange or overlap over another. For “laminar flow”:

Flowing fluid >> All particles are in a straight line

In case of “turbulent flow” fluid particles overlap over another and cross each other’s path. Due to that,
turbulence occurs in fluid. In this case, particular fluid particles form voltages or they cross each other’s
boundaries, this is an irregular type of fluid flow.

Compressible flow

As the name indicates, such sorts of fluid can be compressed. It means density of fluid particles or
density of flowing fluid changes with respect to time. Density of flowing fluid can be altered over a
period and it becomes compressible. Dentistry plays a crucial role here in determining compressibility of
a particular fluid.

Incompressible flow

In case of “incompressible fluid”, density of flowing fluid does not change with respect to time. Most of
the fluids or all the fluids are “perfectly incompressible” in nature. In the case of “Pascal’s Law”,
“incompressible fluid” is taken into consideration. Compressibility is related to flow of gases through the
duct. The gases can be compressed but fluid cannot be compressed. Therefore, fluid or liquid is perfectly
incompressible.
(A) Subsonic Flow: When the fluid velocity is lower than the acoustic speed (M<1) then the fluid flow is
called as subsonic. However Mach number of the flow changes while passing over an object or through a
duct. Hence for simplicity, flow is considered as subsonic if Mach number is in the range of 0-0.8. All
small amplitude disturbances travel with acoustic speed and speed of the flow in the subsonic regime is
less than acoustic speed hence presence of the disturbance is felt by the whole fluid domain. Therefore
subsonic flow is pre-warned or prepared to face the disturbance.
(B) Sonic flow: When flow Mach number is 1 it is called sonic flow.

The minimum pressure ratio may be understood as the ratio between the upstream pressure and the
pressure at the nozzle throat when the gas is traveling at Mach 1; if the upstream pressure is too low
compared to the downstream pressure, sonic flow cannot occur at the throat.

Some other types of flows are also mentioned here ….

Transonic flow: When the flow Mach number is in the range 0.8-1.2 it is called transonic flow. Highly
unstable and mixed subsonic and supersonic flows are the main features of this regime.

Supersonic Flow: When the flow Mach number is more then everywhere in the domain then it is called
as supersonic flow. This flow is not pre-warned since the fluid speed is more than the speed of sound.

Hypersonic Flow: As per the thumb rule, when the flow Mach number is more than 5 then it is called as
hypersonic flows. This is not the fixed definition for hypersonic flow since hypersonic flow is defined by
certain characteristics of flow.

*Normal shocks" are a fundamental type of shock wave. The waves, which are perpendicular to the flow,
are called "normal" shocks. Normal shocks only happen when the flow is supersonic. At those speeds, no
obstacle is identified before the speed of sound which makes the molecule return after sensing the
obstacle. While returning, the molecule becomes coalescent at certain point. This thin film of molecules
act as normal shocks.

Steam Nozzle: It is a passage of deviate cross-section; which converts heat energy of steam into

kinetic energy with a minimum Loss.

Working: During the first part of the nozzle, the steam increases its velocity. And then the later part

of the nozzle, in which the steam derives more in volume than in velocity.

Note:

1. Since the mass of steam which is passes through any section of the nozzle remains’ constant.

2. The variation of steam pressure in the nozzle depends upon the velocity, specific volume and

dryness fraction of steam.

Uses: The main use of steam nozzle in steam turbines is to produce a jet of steam with a high velocity.

The smallest section of the nozzle is called throat.

Types of Steam Nozzles:

exit, it is called a convergent nozzle.

2. Divergent nozzle: When the cross-section of a nozzle increases continuously from entrance to

exit, it is called a divergent nozzle.

3. Convergent-Divergent nozzle: When the cross-section of a nozzle first decreases from its

entrance to throat, and then increases from its throat to exit, it is called a Convergent–Divergent

nozzle.

Brown Hills College of Engineering & Technology Energy Conversion

Portion-1: In the convergent portion steam enters the nozzle with a high pressure, but with a

negligible velocity, thus there is a drop in the steam pressure with a rise in its velocity. There is also a

drop in the enthalpy or total heat of the steam. This drop of heat is not utilised in joining some

external work, but is converted into kinetic energy.

Portion-2: In the divergent portion there is further drop of steam pressure with a further rise in its

velocity. Again, there is a drop in the enthalpy or total heat of steam, which is converted into kinetic

energy.