Compressible Flow

Objectives
• Appreciate the consequences of
compressibility in gas flows
• Understand why a nozzle must have a
diverging section to accelerate a gas to
supersonic speeds
• Predict the occurrence of shocks and
calculate property changes across a shock
wave
• Understand the effects of friction and heat
transfer on compressible flows
Stagnation Properties
• Recall definition of enthalpy

which is the sum of internal

energy u and flow energy P/
• For high-speed flows, enthalpy
and kinetic energy are combined
into stagnation enthalpy h0
Stagnation Properties
• Steady adiabatic flow through
duct with no shaft/electrical work
and no change in elevation and
potential energy

• Therefore, stagnation enthalpy

remains constant during steady-
flow process
 Stagnation Properties
• If a fluid were brought to a complete stop (V2 = 0)

• Therefore, h0 represents the enthalpy of a fluid when it is

brought to rest adiabatically.
• During a stagnation process, kinetic energy is converted to
enthalpy.
• Properties at this point are called stagnation properties
(which are identified by subscript 0)
Stagnation Properties
• If the process is also reversible, the
stagnation state is called the
isentropic stagnation state.
– Stagnation enthalpy is the same for
isentropic and actual stagnation states
– Actual stagnation pressure P0,act is
lower than P0 due to increase in
entropy s as a result of fluid friction.
– Nonetheless, stagnation processes are
often approximated to be isentropic,
and isentropic properties are referred
to as stagnation properties
 Stagnation Properties
• For an ideal gas, h = CpT, which allows the h0 to be rewritten

– T0 is the stagnation temperature. It represents the temperature an

ideal gas attains when it is brought to rest adiabatically.
– V2/2Cp corresponds to the temperature rise, and is called the
dynamic temperature
• For ideal gas with constant specific heats, stagnation
pressure and density can be expressed as
 Stagnation Properties
• When using stagnation enthalpies, there is no need
to explicitly use kinetic energy in the energy balance.

• Where h01 and h02 are stagnation enthalpies at states

1 and 2.
• If the fluid is an ideal gas with constant specific heats
Speed of Sound and Mach Number
• Important parameter in
compressible flow is the speed of
sound.
– Speed at which infinitesimally small
pressure wave travels
• Consider a duct with a moving
piston
– Creates a sonic wave moving to the
right
– Fluid to left of wave front
experiences incremental change in
properties
– Fluid to right of wave front maintains
original properties
Speed of Sound and Mach Number
• Construct CV that encloses
wave front and moves with it
• Mass balance

cancel Neglect
H.O.T.
Speed of Sound and Mach Number
• Energy balance ein = eout

cancel Neglect
cancel
H.O.T.
Speed of Sound and Mach Number
• Using the thermodynamic relation

• Combing this with mass and energy conservation

gives

• For an ideal gas

Speed of Sound and Mach Number

• Since
– R is constant
– k is only a function of T
– Speed of sound is only a
function of temperature
Speed of Sound and Mach Number
• Second important
parameter is the Mach
number Ma
• Ratio of fluid velocity to
the speed of sound

Ma < 1 : Subsonic
Ma = 1 : Sonic • Flow regimes classified
Ma > 1 : Supersonic in terms of Ma
Ma >> 1 : Hypersonic
Ma  1 : Transonic
One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
• For flow through nozzles,
diffusers, and turbine
blade passages, flow
quantities vary primarily
in the flow direction
– Can be approximated as 1D
isentropic flow
• Consider example of
Converging-Diverging
Duct
One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
• Example 12-3 illustrates
– Ma = 1 at the location of the
smallest flow area, called the
throat
– Velocity continues to increase past
the throat, and is due to decrease
in density
– Area decreases, and then
increases. Known as a converging
- diverging nozzle. Used to
accelerate gases to supersonic
speeds.
 One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Variation of Fluid Velocity with Flow Area

• Relationship between V, , and A are complex

• Derive relationship using continuity, energy, speed of
sound equations
• Continuity

– Differentiate and divide by mass flow rate (AV)

One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Variation of Fluid Velocity with Flow Area
• Derived relation (on image
at left) is the differential
form of Bernoulli’s
equation.
• Combining this with result
from continuity gives

• Using thermodynamic
relations and rearranging
 One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Variation of Fluid Velocity with Flow Area

• This is an important relationship

– For Ma < 1, (1 - Ma2) is positive  dA and dP have the
same sign.
• Pressure of fluid must increase as the flow area of the duct
increases, and must decrease as the flow area decreases
– For Ma > 1, (1 - Ma2) is negative  dA and dP have
opposite signs.
• Pressure must increase as the flow area decreases, and must
decrease as the area increases
 One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Variation of Fluid Velocity with Flow Area

• A relationship between dA and dV can be derived by

substituting V = -dP/dV (from the differential
Bernoulli equation)

• Since A and V are positive

– For subsonic flow (Ma < 1) dA/dV < 0
– For supersonic flow (Ma > 1) dA/dV > 0
– For sonic flow (Ma = 1) dA/dV = 0
 One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Variation of Fluid Velocity with Flow Area
Comparison of flow properties in subsonic and supersonic nozzles and diffusers
 One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Property Relations for Isentropic Flow of Ideal Gases
• Relations between static properties and stagnation properties in terms of
Ma are useful.
• Earlier, it was shown that stagnation temperature for an ideal gas was

• Using definitions, the dynamic temperature term can be expressed in

terms of Ma
 One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Property Relations for Isentropic Flow of Ideal Gases

• Substituting T0/T ratio into P0/P and 0/ relations

(slide 8)

• Numerical values of T0/T, P0/P and 0/ compiled in

Table A-13 for k=1.4
• For Ma = 1, these ratios are called critical ratios
One-Dimensional Isentropic Flow
Property Relations for Isentropic Flow of Ideal Gases
 Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles
• Converging or converging-diverging nozzles are
found in many engineering applications
– Steam and gas turbines, aircraft and spacecraft propulsion,
industrial blast nozzles, torch nozzles
• Here, we will study the effects of back pressure
(pressure at discharge) on the exit velocity, mass
flow rate, and pressure distribution along the nozzle
Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles
Converging Nozzles
• State 1: Pb = P0, there is no flow,
and pressure is constant.
• State 2: Pb < P0, pressure along
nozzle decreases.
• State 3: Pb =P* , flow at exit is
sonic, creating maximum flow rate
called choked flow.
• State 4: Pb < Pb, there is no change
in flow or pressure distribution in
comparison to state 3
• State 5: Pb =0, same as state 4.
 Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles
Converging Nozzles
• Under steady flow conditions, mass flow rate is
constant

• Substituting T and P from the expressions on slides

23 and 24 gives

– Mass flow rate is a function of stagnation properties, flow

area, and Ma
 Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles
Converging Nozzles

• The maximum mass flow rate through a nozzle with

a given throat area A* is fixed by the P0 and T0 and
occurs at Ma = 1

• This principal is important for chemical processes,

medical devices, flow meters, and anywhere the
mass flux of a gas must be known and controlled.
 Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles
Converging-Diverging Nozzles
• The highest velocity in a converging nozzle is
limited to the sonic velocity (Ma = 1), which
occurs at the exit plane (throat) of the nozzle
• Accelerating a fluid to supersonic velocities (Ma
> 1) requires a diverging flow section
– Converging-diverging (C-D) nozzle
– Standard equipment in supersonic aircraft and rocket
propulsion
• Forcing fluid through a C-D nozzle does not
guarantee supersonic velocity
– Requires proper back pressure Pb
Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles
Converging-Diverging Nozzles

1. P0 > Pb > Pc
– Flow remains subsonic, and mass
flow is less than for choked flow.
Diverging section acts as diffuser
2. Pb = PC
– Sonic flow achieved at throat.
Diverging section acts as diffuser.
Subsonic flow at exit. Further
decrease in Pb has no effect on
flow in converging portion of
nozzle
Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles
Converging-Diverging Nozzles
3. PC > Pb > PE
– Fluid is accelerated to supersonic
velocities in the diverging section as the
pressure decreases. However,
acceleration stops at location of normal
shock. Fluid decelerates and is subsonic
at outlet. As Pb is decreased, shock
approaches nozzle exit.
4. PE > Pb > 0
– Flow in diverging section is supersonic
with no shock forming in the nozzle.
Without shock, flow in nozzle can be
treated as isentropic.
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
• Review
– Sound waves are created by small pressure
disturbances and travel at the speed of sound
– For some back pressures, abrupt changes in fluid
properties occur in C-D nozzles, creating a shock
wave
• Here, we will study the conditions under
which shock waves develop and how they
affect the flow.
 Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Normal Shocks
• Shocks which occur in a plane
normal to the direction of flow
are called normal shock waves
• Flow process through the shock
wave is highly irreversible and
cannot be approximated as being
isentropic
• Develop relationships for flow
properties before and after the
shock using conservation of mass,
momentum, and energy
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Normal Shocks
Conservation of mass

Conservation of energy

Conservation of momentum

Increase in entropy
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Normal Shocks
• Combine conservation of mass
and energy into a single equation
and plot on h-s diagram
– Fanno Line : locus of states that
have the same value of h0 and
mass flux
• Combine conservation of mass
and momentum into a single
equation and plot on h-s diagram
– Rayleigh line
• Points of maximum entropy
correspond to Ma = 1.
– Above / below this point is
subsonic / supersonic
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Normal Shocks
• There are 2 points where the
Fanno and Rayleigh lines intersect
: points where all 3 conservation
equations are satisfied
– Point 1: before the shock
(supersonic)
– Point 2: after the shock
(subsonic)
• The larger Ma is before the shock,
the stronger the shock will be.
• Entropy increases from point 1 to
point 2 : expected since flow
through the shock is adiabatic but
irreversible
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Normal Shocks
• Equation for the Fanno line for an
ideal gas with constant specific
heats can be derived

• Similar relation for Rayleigh line is

• Combining this gives the

intersection points
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks
• Not all shocks are
normal to flow
direction.
• Some are inclined to
the flow direction, and
are called oblique
shocks
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks
• At leading edge, flow is
deflected through an angle
 called the turning angle
• Result is a straight oblique
shock wave aligned at shock
angle  relative to the flow
direction
• Due to the displacement
thickness, is slightly
greater than the wedge
half-angle .
 Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks
• Like normal shocks, Ma decreases across the oblique
shock, and are only possible if upstream flow is
supersonic
• However, unlike normal shocks in which the
downstream Ma is always subsonic, Ma2 of an oblique
shock can be subsonic, sonic, or supersonic
depending upon Ma1 and .
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks
• All equations and shock
tables for normal
shocks apply to oblique
shocks as well, provided
that we use only the
normal components of
the Mach number
– Ma1,n = V1,n/c1
-Ma relationship
– Ma2,n = V2,n/c2
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks
• If wedge half angle  >
max, a detached oblique
shock or bow wave is
formed
• Much more
complicated that
straight oblique shocks.
• Requires CFD for
analysis.
 Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks

• Similar shock waves see for axisymmetric bodies,

however, -Ma relationship and resulting diagram
is different than for 2D bodies
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Oblique Shocks
• For blunt bodies,
without a sharply
pointed nose,  = 90,
and an attached oblique
shock cannot exist
regardless of Ma.
 Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Prandtl-Meyer Expansion Waves
• In some cases, flow is turned in the opposite
direction across the shock
• Example : wedge at angle of attack  greater
than wedge half angle 
• This type of flow is called an expanding flow,
in contrast to the oblique shock which
creates a compressing flow.
• Instead of a shock, a expansion fan appears,
which is comprised of infinite number of
Mach waves called Prandtl-Meyer
expansion waves
• Each individual expansion wave is
isentropic : flow across entire expansion fan
is isentropic
• Ma2 > Ma1
Flow turns gradually as each • P, , T decrease across the fan
successful Mach wave turns
the flow ay an infinitesimal amount
 Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Prandtl-Meyer Expansion Waves
• Prandtl-Meyer expansion fans also occur in
axisymmetric flows, as in the corners and trailing edges
of the cone cylinder.
Shock Waves and Expansion Waves
Prandtl-Meyer Expansion Waves

Interaction between shock waves and expansions

waves in “over expanded” supersonic jet
 Duct Flow with Heat Transfer
and Negligible Friction
• Many compressible flow problems encountered in practice
involve chemical reactions such as combustion, nuclear
reactions, evaporation, and condensation as well as heat gain
or heat loss through the duct wall
• Such problems are difficult to analyze
• Essential features of such complex flows can be captured by a
simple analysis method where generation/absorption is
modeled as heat transfer through the wall at the same rate
– Still too complicated for introductory treatment since flow may
involve friction, geometry changes, 3D effects
• We will focus on 1D flow in a duct of constant cross-sectional
area with negligible frictional effects
 Duct Flow with Heat Transfer
and Negligible Friction
Consider 1D flow of an ideal gas with
constant cp through a duct with
constant A with heat transfer but
negligible friction (known as
Rayleigh flow)
Continuity equation

X-Momentum equation
 Duct Flow with Heat Transfer
and Negligible Friction
Energy equation
– CV involves no shear, shaft, or other forms of work, and potential
energy change is negligible.

– For and ideal gas with constant cp, h = cpT

Entropy change
– In absence of irreversibilities such as friction, entropy changes by heat
transfer only
Duct Flow with Heat Transfer
and Negligible Friction
• Infinite number of downstream
states 2 for a given upstream
state 1
• Practical approach is to assume
various values for T2, and
calculate all other properties as
well as q.
• Plot results on T-s diagram
– Called a Rayleigh line
• This line is the locus of all
physically attainable
downstream states
• S increases with heat gain to
point a which is the point of
maximum entropy (Ma =1)
 Adiabatic Duct Flow with Friction
• Friction must be included for flow through
long ducts, especially if the cross-sectional
area is small.
• Here, we study compressible flow with
significant wall friction, but negligible heat
transfer in ducts of constant cross section.
 Adiabatic Duct Flow with Friction
Consider 1D adiabatic flow of an
ideal gas with constant cp through a
duct with constant A with significant
frictional effects (known as Fanno
flow)
Continuity equation

X-Momentum equation
Adiabatic Duct Flow with Friction
 Duct Flow with Heat Transfer
and Negligible Friction
Energy equation
– CV involves no heat or work, and potential energy change is negligible.

– For and ideal gas with constant cp, h = cpT

Entropy change
– In absence of irreversibilities such as friction, entropy changes by heat
transfer only
Duct Flow with Heat Transfer
and Negligible Friction
• Infinite number of downstream
states 2 for a given upstream state
1
• Practical approach is to assume
various values for T2, and calculate
all other properties as well as
friction force.
• Plot results on T-s diagram
– Called a Fanno line
• This line is the locus of all physically
attainable downstream states
• s increases with friction to point of
maximum entropy (Ma =1).
• Two branches, one for Ma < 1, one
for Ma >1
Duct Flow with Heat Transfer
and Negligible Friction