01 Fundamentals
01 Fundamentals
MODULE 15/17
PROPULSION
engineering SYSTEMS
1 FUNDAMENTALS
1.1 WORK, POWER & ENERGY
Work, power, and energy are all interrelated. Work is the amount of movement a
given force causes; energy is the ability to do work, and power is the rate of doing
work.
1.1.1 WORK
In its technical sense, work is the product of force and distance, and work is done
only when a force causes movement. We can see this by the formula:
Work = Force x Distance
We normally measure distance in feet or inches, and force in pounds or ounces.
This allows us to measure work in foot-pounds or inch-ounces.
Example:
To find the amount of work done when a 500 pound load is lifted for a distance of 6
feet, we can use the formula:
Work = Force x Distance
= 500 X 6
= 3,000 foot-pounds
1.1.2 POWER
The rate of doing work is called power, and it is defined as the work done in unit time.
As a formula, this would be:
power = work done
time taken
Power is expressed in several different units, such as the watt, ergs per second, and
foot-pounds per second. The most common unit of power in general use in the
United States is the horsepower. One horsepower (hp) is equal to 550 ft-lb’s or
33000 ft-1b/min. In the metric system the unit of power is the watt (W) or the kilowatt
(kW). One hp is equal to 746 watts; and 1 kW = 1.34 hp.
Example:
To compute the power necessary to raise an elevator containing 10 persons a
distance of 100 ft in 5 s (assuming the loaded elevator weighs 2500 lb), proceed as
follows:
Power = work done = 2500 x 100 = 50,000 ft-lb’s/sec
Time taken 5
1.1.3 ENERGY
The term energy may be defined as the capacity for doing work. There are two forms
of energy: potential energy and kinetic energy.
1.1.3.1 POTENTIAL ENERGY
Potential energy is the stored energy possessed by a system, because of the relative
positions of the components of that system. If work done raises an object to a certain
height, energy will be stored in that object in the form of the gravitational force. This
energy, waiting to be released is called potential energy. The amount of potential
energy a system possesses is equal to the work done on the system previously.
Potential energy can be found in forms other than weights and height. Electrically
charged components contain potential (electrical) energy because of their position
within an electric field. An explosive substance has chemical potential energy that is
released in the form of light, heat and kinetic energy, when detonated.
Example :
A weight of 50 pounds is raised 5 feet. Using the formula:
Potential Energy = Force x Distance
= 50 x 5
= 250 ft-lb’s.
Note: That energy is expressed in the same units as those used for work and in all
cases energy is the product of force x distance.
1.1.3.2 KINETIC ENERGY
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object, resulting from the motion of that
object. The magnitude of that energy depends on both the mass and speed of the
object. This is demonstrated by the simple equation:
Energy =½mv2 or w v2
2g
where m = mass, v = velocity (in feet or metres per second), w = weight, g = gravity
(32 ft/sec2 or 9.81m/sec2).
All forms of energy convert into other forms by appropriate processes. In this
process of transformation, either form of energy can be lost or gained but the total
energy must remain the same.
Example:
A weight of 50lbs dropped from a height of 5 ft has kinetic energy of
KE = 50 x 25
2 x 32
= 19.53 ft-lb’s
Path of Aircraft
B
A C
1.2.3 ACCELERATION
This term describes the rate at which velocity changes. If an object increases in
speed, it has positive acceleration; if it decreases in speed, it has negative
acceleration. A reference to Newton's Second law of Motion will explain the
principles of acceleration. Acceleration can be in a straight line, which is referred to a
linear acceleration and it can apply to rotating objects whose speed of rotation is
increasing, (or decreasing), when it is called angular acceleration.
1.3 PRINCIPLES OF JET PROPULSION
Newton’s Laws of Motion. To understand the basic principles of jet propulsion it is
necessary to understand the practical application of Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of
Motion. There are three laws.
1. The First Law States. A mass will remain stationary until acted upon by a force. If
the mass is already moving at a constant speed in a straight line, it will. continue
to move at that constant speed in a straight line until acted upon by a force.
2. The Second Law States. When a force acts on a mass the mass will accelerate
in the direction in which the force acts.
3. The Third Law States. To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The function of any propeller or gas turbine engine is to produce THRUST, (or a
propulsion force), by accelerating a mass of air or gas rearwards. If we apply
Newton's Laws of Motion to aircraft propulsion it can be said that:-
• a FORCE must be applied in order to accelerate the mass of air or gas: first law,
the acceleration of the mass is proportional to the force applied: second law,
• there must be an equal and opposite reaction, in our case this is THRUST, a
forward acting force: third law.
1.3.1 THRUST CALCULATION.
The amount of thrust produced depends upon two things:-
the MASS of air which is moved rearwards in a given time,
• the ACCELERATION imparted to the air.
It can be expressed as:- Thrust = Mass x Acceleration
The MASS is defined as “the quantity of matter in a body".
It is expressed as W
g
Where:- W = the weight of the body (in lb’s or newtons) and
g = the gravitational constant (taken as 32 ft/sec/sec or 9.81 m/sec2)
The ACCELERATION imparted to the air is the difference between its inlet and outlet
velocity.
If we let: -
V2 = the air velocity at exit (in ft/sec/sec or 9.81m/sec2)
and
V1 = the air velocity at inlet (in ft/sec/sec or 9.81m/sec2)
It may be expressed as V2 – V1
Taking these expressions for Mass and Acceleration, the thrust produced by an
engine or propeller can be calculated from the following formula:-
W
THRUST = (V2 - V1)
g
Example 1.
The airflow through a propeller is 256 lbs/sec, Inlet velocity 0 ft/sec, outlet velocity
700 ft/sec.
Thrust developed will be:
W
THRUST = (V2 - V1)
g
THRUST = 256 x (700 – 0)
32
= 5600 lbs
Example 2.
The mass airflow through a gas turbine engine is 128lbs/sec, inlet velocity is 0 ft/sec,
outlet velocity is 1400 ft/sec. Using the formula :
THRUST = 128 x (1400 – 0)
32
= 5600lbs
By comparing both examples, you can see that the gas turbine produced the same
thrust as the propeller by giving a greater acceleration to a smaller mass. It can be
said that a propeller accelerates a large mass slowly whilst the gas turbine produces
the same thrust by giving a greater acceleration to a smaller mass.
Note that in both of the examples the inlet velocity was zero ft/sec. The aircraft was
stationary so the thrust produced is referred to as STATIC THRUST.
This is known as the ‘continuity equation’ and it is true for any steady flow system
regardless of changes in the cross-sectional area of the duct.
1.6.2 INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID FLOW.
Now consider an incompressible fluid as it flows through the duct system shown in
the fig. 1.7. We know that the mass flow is of a constant value and, naturally, as the
fluid enters the larger cross sectional area it will take up the new shape and the initial
volume will now occupy less length in the duct. Therefore, in a given time, less
distance is travelled and the velocity is reduced.
Thus we conclude that if the mass flow is to remain constant, as it must, an increase
in duct area must be accompanied by a reduction in flow velocity, and a decrease in
duct area must bring about an increase in velocity; we can express this action as –
velocity varies inversely with changes in duct area.
Duct System
Figure 1.7.
Kinetic energy.
This kind of energy is more often called ‘dynamic pressure’ and this term is used to
define the extra pressure created by the movement of the medium. Dynamic
pressure is proportional to ½ mass x velocity 2 (ie. ½mv2).
When the medium (gas or fluid) is moving, the total energy = static pressure +
dynamic pressure.
Consider a duct which is filled with an incompressible fluid and pressurised from one
end by an external force (Fig 1.8.). The other end of the duct is sealed by a valve,
which can be opened or closed, and a pressure gauge is fitted into the wall of the
duct to indicate the static pressure (PS). With the valve closed, static pressure and
total energy are the same. However, when the valve is opened to allow a fluid flow,
the circumstances changes and, although the total energy must remain the same, it
now consists of static pressure + dynamic pressure. As the velocity V increases, so
dynamic pressure increases and the static pressure is reduced.
In a situation where there is a no fluid flow, the static pressure (PS) gauge, and the
total head pressure (PT) gauge will show the same value, but when there is a fluid
flow, the total pressure reading remains the same although the static pressure drops.
Total pressure remains constant, but static pressure (PS) changes as area (and
velocity) change.
Diffuser Section
Figure 1.12.
Divergent Duct.
Figure 1.13.
Convergent Duct.
Figure 1.14.
A Con-Di Nozzle
Figure 1.14.
When a gas flow reaches sonic velocity in a convergent duct the nozzle will choke
and the pressure will increase. To prevent a pressure rise that would eventually
prevent a 'fluid' flow and completely choke the duct a divergent section is added
making the duct convergent/divergent (Con/DI). The pressure of gas released into
the divergent section of the nozzle causes the velocity of the 'fluid' to increase,
pressure to decrease, and therefore temperature to decrease. Gas pressure acts on
the walls of the divergent section, this pressure gives additional thrust that is known
as pressure thrust.
turbine engines:
Changes in Temperature, Pressure and Velocity and the Brayton Cycle
• Reaction engines, which derive their thrust by jet reaction
Figure 1.16.
• Power engines, which provide a mechanical output to drive another device.
b. Low and Medium By-pass or turbofan engines. These engines will have two or
three shafts. The Low Pressure (LP) shaft drives a larger diameter compressor.
Some of the air produced by-passes the core engine (hence the name) and is
used to provide thrust. The core airflow provides power for the compressors and
thrust. These engine are quieter than turbojets and more fuel efficient. The Spey
and Tay engines fall into this category.
The by-pass ratio is determined by the ratio of the air in flowing through the by-
pass to the air passing through the core of the engine. Low by-pass less than 2:1,
medium by-pass 2:1 to 4:1, high by pass greater than 5:1.
Turboprop Engines
Figure 1.19.
b. Turboshaft Engines. These engines are used in helicopters. They share many
of the attributes of turboprop engines, but are usually smaller. They do not have
propeller control systems built into the engine and usually do not have many
accessories attached such as generators etc. as these are driven by the main rotor
gearbox. Modern turboshaft and turbo prop engines run at constant speed which
tends to prolong the life of the engine and also means that they are more efficient as
the engine can run at its optimum speed all the time.
There are other types of engine such as ram jets, pulse jets, turbo-ram jet and
turbo - rockets, but none of these are used commercially if at all.
1.11 ENGINE STATIONS
Engines are divided up into section or stations. These help identify the source of air
pressure or temperature when looking at more complex systems such as the fuel
system.
Station 0 air is air before the intake, this becomes station 1 air in the intake. Station 2
air is air in the fan and compressor and may be further divided down by adding a
decimal figure after the 2. This is usually indicates the stage, however some engines
do not conform in this area. Station 3 is compressor discharge air which is the
highest pressure air in the engine. After combustion this becomes station 4 air and
remains station 4 air through the turbine, again this may be modified by adding a
decimal figure for each stage. Behind the turbine it becomes station 5 air, becoming
station 6 or 7 air aft of the tail cone. Station 7 air is just before the propelling nozzle
and station 8 air at the narrowest point of the propelling nozzle. Finally the air behind
the nozzle is referred to as station 9.
As can be seen from figure 1.21. there are variations in this notation, also different
manufacturers may have their own interpretation for instance on some of the new
Rolls-Royce engines they have made all the stations whole numbers by adding a 0 to
the single figure numbers and removing the decimal point i.e. stn 3 becomes stn 30.
Station Numbering
Figure 1.21.
Stations for Propeller/ Propfan/ Unducted Fan/ Ultra high by pass engines.
Figure 1.22.