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Nozzles and Diffusers

Nozzles and diffusers are fluid-mechanical devices that accelerate and decelerate flow, respectively, with specific applications in jet engines and rockets. The energy balance for these devices indicates that no significant heat transfer or work occurs during operation, and their design objectives differ based on their function, stability, and efficiency. Key differences include how they manipulate fluid pressure and velocity, with nozzles maximizing exit velocity and diffusers recovering pressure.

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Muhammed Montasir
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90 views6 pages

Nozzles and Diffusers

Nozzles and diffusers are fluid-mechanical devices that accelerate and decelerate flow, respectively, with specific applications in jet engines and rockets. The energy balance for these devices indicates that no significant heat transfer or work occurs during operation, and their design objectives differ based on their function, stability, and efficiency. Key differences include how they manipulate fluid pressure and velocity, with nozzles maximizing exit velocity and diffusers recovering pressure.

Uploaded by

Muhammed Montasir
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nozzles and Diffusers

Nozzles and diffusers are commonly utilized in jet engines, rockets, and spacecrafts. Any
fluid-mechanical device designed to accelerate a flow is called a nozzle and any fluid-
mechanical device designed to decelerate a flow is called a diffuser. For subsonic flow
(velocity under the speed of sound), a converging duct is a nozzle, and a diverging duct
is a diffuser.
Nozzle and diffuser are single-stream (one-inlet-one-exit) systems. If the inlet is denoted
by subscript 1 and exit is denoted by subscript 2, the mass balance and energy balance
for single-stream steady-flow systems become
𝑚𝑚̇in = 𝑚𝑚̇out = 𝑚𝑚̇
𝑣𝑣22 − 𝑣𝑣12
𝑄𝑄̇ − 𝑊𝑊̇ = 𝑚𝑚̇ �(ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) + + 𝑔𝑔(𝑧𝑧2 − 𝑧𝑧1 )�
2
= 𝑚𝑚̇(Δ𝑛𝑛 + Δ𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 + Δ𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝)

There are several common assumptions that are made in the energy analysis of nozzles
and diffusers:
• 𝑄𝑄̇ ≅ 0

The fluid has high velocity and thus does not spend enough time on the device

for any significant heat transfer to take place.

• 𝑊𝑊̇ ≅ 0

Nozzles and diffusers are properly shaped ducts, and no shaft or electric work can
be transferred in or out.

• Δ𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 ≅ 0

As a fluid passes through a nozzle or diffuser, it experiences a large change

at its velocity. Hence, the kinetic energy change must be accounted for.

• Δ𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 ≅ 0

The fluid experiences small or no change in its elevation as it flows through

the nozzle or diffuser.

Summarizing the above analysis, the energy balance for nozzles and diffusers is:

(ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) + (𝑣𝑣22 − 𝑣𝑣12 )/2 = 0

We’ll clarify the main differences between nozzle vs diffusers. We’ll explore how they
manipulate fluid pressure and velocity differently to achieve desired effects. We’ll also
touch on some best practices around application and design.

1. Based on Function
→ Nozzle: Accelerates fluid flow by converting pressure energy into kinetic energy
(high velocity).

→ Diffuser: Decelerates fluid flow, converting kinetic energy back into pressure
energy.
2. Based on Action and Goal
→ Nozzle
↪ Action: Forces flow through a converging (subsonic) or converging-diverging
(supersonic) duct.
↪ Goal: Maximize exit velocity for thrust (rockets, jets) or spray generation.
→ Diffuser
↪ Action: Expands flow through a diverging duct.
↪ Goal: Recover pressure, stabilize flow, or reduce noise.

3. Based on Flow Stability


→ Nozzle: Stability depends on avoiding abrupt geometry changes (e.g., shock
waves in supersonic flow).
→ Diffuser: Requires gradual divergence to prevent flow separation and
turbulence.

4. Based on Design Objective


→ Nozzle: Optimize geometry (throat area, divergence angle) to achieve desired
exit Mach number and minimize entropy generation.
→ Diffuser: Maximize pressure recovery while minimizing energy losses.

5. Based on Type
→ Nozzle: Convergent (subsonic), Convergent-Divergent (supersonic/CD nozzle),
or de Laval nozzles.
→ Diffuser: Straight, curved, or variable-geometry diverging ducts.

6. Based on Area Change


→ Nozzle
↪ Subsonic: Converging area (A↓).
↪ Supersonic: Converging-diverging area (A↓ then A↑).
→ Diffuser: Diverging area (A↑) to slow flow.
7. Sketch
8. Velocity, Pressure, Area and Mach number
9. Pressure (P), Temperature (T), Density (ρ) Change

Device Flow Area Velocity Pressure Temperature Density


Regime Change
Nozzle Subsonic Converging ↑ ↓ ↓ ↓
Nozzle Supersonic Diverging ↑↑ ↓↓ ↓↓ ↓↓
Diffuser Subsonic Diverging ↓ ↑ ↑ ↑
Diffuser Supersonic Converging ↓↓ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑
• ↑ = Increase
• ↑↑ = Significant increase
• ↓↓ = Significant decrease
• ↓ = Decrease

10. Shock waves


→ Nozzle: Shock waves form if divergent section is too short or exit pressure
mismatches ambient conditions.
→ Diffuser: Shock waves may occur in supersonic inflow, requiring careful design
to manage energy dissipation.

11. Flow Separation


→ Nozzle: Rare in optimized designs; occurs if divergent angle is too steep.
→ Diffuser: Common if divergence angle exceeds 7–12°, causing boundary layer
separation.

12. Design Complexity


→ Nozzle: Rare in optimized designs; occurs if divergent angle is too steep.
→ Diffuser: Common if divergence angle exceeds 7–12°, causing boundary layer
separation.

13. Efficiency
→ Nozzle: Measured by entropy generation minimization (e.g., reducing friction
losses).
→ Diffuser: Evaluated via pressure recovery coefficient (ratio of actual to ideal
pressure rise).

14. Applications
→ Nozzle: Rocket engines, jet propulsion, spray systems, HVAC.
→ Diffuser: Wind tunnels, turbine inlets, compressors, HVAC systems.
References
 https://nozzlessupplier.com
 Flow characteristics of the diffuser/nozzle micropump—A state space approach
paper.
 Diffuser and Nozzle Design Optimization by Entropy Generation Minimization by
Bastian Schmandt and Heinz Herwig.
 Fluid thermodynamics. Theoretical study of supersonic nozzle and diffuser paper
by Ausies Marti.

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