SOLVED PROBLEMS IN NOZZLE AND DIFFUSER

Module II Isentropic flow of compressible fluid through variable area of Cross section (through
Nozzle or Diffuser)
Important relations:
For Isentropic flow;

γ 1
1
T   1 2  P  γ-1 2  1-γ ρ  γ-1 2  1- γ
 1  M  ; = 1+ M  and = 1+ M 
TO  2  PO  2  ρO  2 

TO1 = TO2 = TO t and PO1 =PO2 = PO2  PO t bar for Isentropic flow t- throat

when M = M Crit =1, then

the proprty ratios between static and critical conditions are
γ 1
1
T*    1 P*  γ-1 1-γ ρ*  γ-1  1- γ
 1  ; = 1+ and = 1+ 2 
TO  2  PO  2  ρO
γ 1
T* 2 P*  2  1-γ ρ*  2  1- γ
 ; =   and =  γ+1 
TO γ+1 PO  γ+1  ρO  

When flow attain choking or critical condition ,

then at throat M t  1 the properties are critical propert T* , P* and ρ* and
1
 1 2
 
w TO    2   1
 In Gas Table Page No.2
mass flow rate is maximum =
A*PO  R   -1  
 

In Convergent passage if inlet is subsonic,

then the flow will be accelerated but
maximum velocity will be equal to sonic
velocity i.e M = 1when the flow attain
choking or critical condition then
P* For air γ = 1.4 then for critical condition
 0.528
PO1
If flow in convergent nozzle is not critical
then at exit P*
> 0.528
PO1

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 For critical condition
γ 1.4
P *
 2   2 
1-γ 1-1.4
=   =   0.528
PO1  γ+1  1.4  1 
For convergent nozzle
P* = throat pressure = exit pressure = 0.528 PO1
For C - D nozzle (Convergent - Divergent nozzle)
P* = throat pressure = 0.528 PO1

then at throat M t  1 the properties are critical propert T* , P* and ρ*

A
is the ratio between the area of cross section at any section and
A*
Area of cross section at throat

To solve the problems, property data can be referred from Gas Table Book in the Table
No. 3.1 for γ = 1.3, Table 3.2 for γ = 1.4 and Table 3.3 for γ = 1.67
1. The pressure, velocity and temperature of air (γ =1.4, CP = 1.0 kJ/kg K) at the entry of a
nozzle are 2 bar, 145 m/s and 330 K; the exit pressure is 1.5 bar. i) What is the shape of
the nozzle? ii) Determine for isentropic flow a) the Mach numbers at entry and exit b)
the flow rate and maximum possible flow rate
Given Data:
At the entry of nozzle; Pressure P 1 = 2 bar = 2 ×105 N/m2, Velocity C1 = 145 m/s,
Temperature T1 = 330 K
Exit pressure P2 = 1.5 bar ; γ =1.4, CP = 1.0 kJ/kg K= 1000 J/kg K

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 i) What is the shape of nozzle ? ii) Mach Number at entry M1 = ? and at exit M2 = ?
b) Maximum flow rate

C1
From the given data; calculate M1  ;
a1
m
a1 = γRT = 1.4  285.7  330 = 363.3
s
γ γ-1 1.4-1 J
CP = R; R = CP = 1000 = 285.7
γ-1 γ 1.4 kg K
From Table
C 3.2 for γ =1.4 (page No.29)
145
M1  1 = = 0.399
a 363.3 T P
for M  0.399  4; 1  0.969 ; 1  0.895
1
1
T PO1
P1 2 105 O1 kg
 = =
TO1 = TO2 and PO1 =PO2
1  2.121
RT1 285.7  330 m3
P 1.5 m
Exit  2 =P2 1=1.4
TaO21=pressure
γRT 2
1.5 285.7 2 304.1
bar; =  = 1.4
= 1
0.672
348.7 2
 1  M1  ; TO1PO2
= 3302.23
1   0.399
s 
kg 
 = m2= ρ2 A 2C2 = 1.72 1 270.2
massT1flow rate P
 = 466.5
2 
m s m2
For
T M 2 as
C2 γ===1.4,
340.5 = 0.672>
2
aK2 = 0.775  348.7
0.528
= 270.2
O1
Answers: i) Nozzle is PO2convergent shape s
γ 1.4
the
PO1refore nozzle
ii)PInlet Mach
γ-11.5 aconvergent
is No.=0.4
105 and type
exit Mach No. = 0.775
2T  340.5
 kg
1.4-1
2 ==  =  2 1.72
O1
RT  ; Ppossible
 304.1 ratem
3 = 2.23 bar; kgP2
T1 285.7
O1 2
P find
To iii) 2Maximum
Mach Number fow
at exit330
, Refer at Table
exit = 466.5
3.2 for s per=m0.672
area page No. 30
O2P
T2
M 2  0.775 ; = 0.893; T2  340.5  0.893  304.1 K
TO2

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2. A gas is isentropically expanded from p = 10 bar and T = 525 ° C in a nozzle to a pressure
of 7.6 bar. If the rate of flow of the gas is 1.5 kg/s determine: a) pressure, temperature
and velocity at the nozzle throat and exit; b) maximum possible velocity attainable by the
gas and c) the type of the nozzle and its throat area. Take γ = 1.3 and R = 0.464 kJ/kg K.
Given Data:

4
 For a gas, γ = 1.3 and R = 0.464 kJ/kg K = 464 J/kg K
At the entry of nozzle; Pressure P1 = PO1 = 10 bar = 10 ×105 N/m2,
Temperature T1 = TO1 = 525° C = 798 K, mass flow rate of gas = 1.5 kg/s
Exit Pressure = Pe = 7.6 bar = 7.6 ×105 N/m2
a) Determine Pt, Tt, Ct at throat and P2, T2 and C2 at exit
b) Cmax maximum possible velocity
c) Type of Nozzle and Throat area
γ 1.3
P *
 2  1-γ
 2  1-1.3
=   =   0.546
PO1  γ+1 1.3  1 

P*
Exit pressure ratio should be equal to  0.546 for convergent nozzle
PO1
P*
Exit pressure ratio should be less than  0.546 for convergent - Divergent nozzle
PO1

Pe 7.6 P*
As exit pressure ratio = = 0.76 >  0.546, Nozzle is Convergent type
PO1 10 PO1

For convergent nozzle, throat and exit both are same

To find Mach Number at exit (throat), Refer Table 3.1 ( =1.3) page No. 22
P P
for 2 = t =0.76
PO2 PO t
T2 A
M 2  0.66 ; = 0.938; T2  798  0.938  748.5 K; * = 1.13
TO2 A
TO1 = TO2 = TO t  798 K and PO1 =PO2 =PO t  10 bar

m
a 2 = γRT2 = 1.3  464  748.5 = 671.9
s
m
C2 = M 2  a 2 = 0.66  671.9 = 443.5
s
P2 7.6×105 kg
ρ2 = = =2.18 3
RT2 464×748.5 m
P1 10×105 kg
ρ1 = = =2.7 3
RT1 464×798 m
kg
m = mass flow rate =  2 A 2 C2  1.5
s
1.5
A 2  A t = Area at throat = = 0.00155 m 2  15.5 cm 2
2.18  443.5
A1
= 1.13
At
A1 = Area at inlet = 1.13 15.5 10 45  0.00175 m 2
maximum possible velocity = Cmax  2h O = 2C PTO
 γ   1.3  J
CP =   R=   464 = 2010.6
 γ-1   1.3-1  kg K
m
Cmax  2h O = 2CP TO = 2  2010.6  798 = 1791.3
s
Answers:
Exit = Throat; hence
Pt  P2  7.6 bar; Tt  T2  748.5 K = 475.5 C and
m
C2 = Velocity at throat = 443.5
s
m
maximum possible velocity = Cmax  1791.3
s
A 2  A t = Area at throat = 0.00155 m 2  15.5 cm 2

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3. A supersonic nozzle expands air from po = 25 bar and To = 1050 K to an exit pressure of
4.35 bar; the exit area of the nozzle is 100 cm 2. Determine : a) throat area b) pressure and
temperature at the throat c) temperature at exit d) exit velocity as fraction of the
maximum attainable velocity; e) mass flow rate
Given Data: Supersonic nozzle expands from (at inlet) PO1 = 25 bar and To1 = 1050 K
Exit pressure = P2 = 4.35 bar ; A2 = 100 cm2 = 100 × 10-4 m2
γ 1.4

For air P =  2  =  2 
* 1-γ 1-1.4

1.4  1   0.528
PO1  γ+1 
P* or Pt
Exit pressure ratio should be equal to  0.528 for convergent nozzle
PO1
P2
Exit pressure ratio should be less than  0.528 for convergent - Divergent nozzle
PO1

Supersonic nozzle means Convergent – Divergent nozzle

P2 4.35
=  0.174  0.528 hence given is Convergent - Divergent nozzle
PO1 25

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4.
From Gas Table 3.2 ( = 1.4)
P 4.35 T A
for 2 =  0.174 , refer properties M 2 = 1.8, 2 = 0.607 , *2 = 1.439
PO1 25 TO2 A

PO1 = PO t = PO 2 = 25 bar and To1 = TO t =TO2 = 1050 K

A2
T2  0.607  TO2 = 0.607 1050 = 637.4 K and A * = area at throat =
1.439
100
A* = area at throat = = 69.5 cm 2 = 69.5 104 m 2
1.439

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 At throat M=1 and from From Gas Table 3.2 ( = 1.4)
P* T*
for M =1, = 0.528 and = 0.834
PO1 TO1
Pressure at throat P*  25  0.528 = 13.2 bar;
Temperature at throat T*  1050  0.834  875.7K
1.4  287.5  637.4 m
a 2   RT2  =506.5
s
m
C 2 = M 2  a 2  1.8  506.5  911.7
s
m
Maximum velocity C max  2  C PTO  2 1005 1050  1452.7
s

4. Superheated steam is supplied to a supersonic nozzle at design flow rate of 1.0 kg/s (per
cm2 of throat area). If the stagnation temperature of steam is 800 K, determine the stagnation
pressure of steam required for this flow rate. Take R = 0.477 kJ/kgK, γ =1.4, Cp =1.005
kJ/kgK. Assume isentropic flow.
5. Air flows isentropically through a duct. At a particular section in the passage, the cross-
sectional area is 400 mm2 and M = 0.4. At another section area is 300 mm 2. What is the
Mach number at the second section? What would be the area at the section where M = l?
6. Air enters a nozzle having a throat area of 930 cm 2 and attains a Mach number of 2.5 at
the exit. The supply of air is at a pressure of 1.05 bar and a temperature of 2l ° C and is
having negligible velocity. Find the mass flow rate, area, pressure, temperature and
velocity at the exit of the nozzle.
7. A perfect gas having Cp = 1017.4 J/kg K and molecular weight 28.97 flows adiabatically
in a converging passage with a mass flow rate if 29.18 kg/s. At a particular location,
M = 0.6, T = 550K and p = 0.2 MPa Calculate the area of cross section of the duct at the
location.
8. A supersonic nozzle expands air from po = 25 bar and To = 1050 K to an exit pressure of
4.35 bar; the exit area of the nozzleis 100 cm 2. Determine (a) throat area (b) pressure and
temperature at the throat (c) temperature at exit (d) exit velocity as fraction of the
maximum attainable velocity and (e) mass flow rate

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9. An aircraft flies at 800 km/hr, at a altitude 10,000m (T=223.15K, P = 0.264bar). The air
is reversibly compressed in a diffuser. If the exit mach no. of the diffuser is 0.36,
determine a) Entry Mach no. b) velocity, pressure and temperature of air at diffuser exit.
Given Data:
Aircraft velocity = 800 km/hr, at a altitude 10,000m
T=223.15K and P = 0.264bar if not given in the problem can be referred from Gas Table
Table 2 - Properties of standard atmosphere in the page No. 19 and 20
Exit Mach No. = 0.36
Determine: a) Entry Mach No. b) Velocity C2, Pressure P2 and Temperature T2 at exit

km
Aircraft velocity C = 800
h
1000 800 m
C1 = 800  = = 222.2
3600 3.6 s
km m
convert to , Divided by 3.6
h s
m km
convert to , Multifly by 3.6
s h
T1 =223.15K and P1 = 0.264bar
m
a1 = γRT1 = 1.4  286.5  223.15  299.1
s
value of 'a' can also be referred from table 2 for altitude 10000 m
C 222.2
M1  1 = = 0.742
a1 299.1

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 For Isentropic flow, from Gas table , Table 3.2 for γ = 1.4
for M1  0.742
T1 P
=0.901; 1 =0.695
TO1 PO1
T1 223.15
TO1 =   247.66 K
0.901 0.901
P1 P 0.264
=0.695; PO1  1   0.379 bar
PO1 0.695 0.695

For exit Mach No. M 2  0.36

from Gas table , Table 3.2 for γ = 1.4
for M 2  0.36
T2 P
=0.975; 2 =0.914
TO2 PO2
TO1 =TO2 = 247.66 K ; PO1 = PO2 = 0.379 bar and A1*  A 2*
T2 = 247.66  0.975 = 241.46 K
P2 = 0.379  0.914 = 0.346 bar
m
a 2 = γRT2 = 1.4  286.5  241.46  311.2
s
m
C2  M 2  a 2 = 0.36  311.2 = 112.0
s
Answer:
Entry Mach No. M1  0.742
At exit, Pressure P2 = 0.346 bar;
m
T2 = 241.46 K and Velocity C 2 = 112
s 11
10. The Mach number and pressure at the entry of a subsonic diffuser are 0.9 and 4.165 bar.
Determine the area ratio required and the pressure rise if the Mach number at the exit of
diffuser is 0.2.
Given Data:
At entry, Mach No. M1 = 0.9 ; Pressure P1 = 4.165 bar
Determine: i) Area ratio = A1/A2 ii) If M2 = 0.2 , then
P2 =? Assume γ = 1.4
From Table 3.2 for γ = 1.4
M1  0.9
P1 A
 0.591 and 1* = 1.009
PO1 A1
PO1 = PO2 and A1*  A 2*

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At exit
From Table 3.2 for γ = 1.4
M1  0.2
P2 A
 0.973 and 2* = 2.964
PO2 A2
A1
A A * 1.009
Area Ratio = 1 = 1 =  0.34
A2 A2 2.964
A 2*
A2
or = 2.937
A1
P2
P P 0.973
Pressure ratio = 2 = O2 = = 1.646
P1 P1 0.591
PO1
Pressure rise = P2 = P1  1.646  4.165  1.646  6.857 bar
Answer:
A2
Area ratio = 2.937
A1
Pressure rise = P2  6.857 bar from P1 = 4.165 bar
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