Republic of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS

Villamor, Piccio Garden, Pasay City
Institute of Engineering and Technology

Learning Module 2
Classification
of
Propulsive
Device
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 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Villamor, Piccio Garden, Pasay City
Institute of Engineering and Technology

Classification of Propulsive Device

II. Module Learning Outcome

• Discuss the Classification of Propulsive Device
• Discuss the Chamber and Nozzle Design
III. Topic Learning Outcome
• Illustration of Brayton’s Cycle

Time Commitment for this Module

• Reading Materials : 1 hour
• Video Material : 19 Minutes
• Assessment : 41 Minutes

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 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Villamor, Piccio Garden, Pasay City
Institute of Engineering and Technology

Table of Content
II. Classification of Propulsive Device
2.1. Air-Breathing Engine ................................................................................. p.4
2.1.1. The gas turbine engine can be classified broadly into three categories..p.4
2.2. Non-Air Breathing Engines…………………………………………………….p.4
2.3. Rocket engines are broadly divided into two categories: ………………….p.4
2.4. Comparison of Air-Breathing and Rocket Engines………………………….p.5

2.5 Assessment……………………………………………………………………..p.6
Honesty Clause……………………………………..………………………….p.6

2.6 Reference…………………………………………………………………………p.6

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 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Villamor, Piccio Garden, Pasay City
Institute of Engineering and Technology

2. Classification of Propulsive Device

In the last century, several propulsive devices based on various principles were designed and
developed, which are used in modern aircraft and spacecraft
The propulsive devices can be broadly divided into two categories:
• Air-breathing engines
• Non-air-breathing engines

2.1. Air-Breathing Engines

Ambient air is used as an oxidizer for burning fuel. Air-breathing engines can be broadly
divided into two categories: constant-pressure combustion and constant-volume combustion. The
first category is based on the Brayton cycle, which can be further divided into two categories: gas
turbine and ramjet. There is another exotic jet engine known as the scramjet engine.

2.1.1. The gas turbine engine can be classified broadly into three categories:
• Turbojet
• Turbofan
• Turboprop/Turboshaft
2.2. Non-Air Breathing Engines
The oxidizers are not taken from the atmosphere but are rather carried onboard the
vehicle. Most non-air-breathing engines are generally termed as rocket engines/motors. Note that
the term rocket used in the literature is more broad-based, and its definition can be conceived as
“the device in which mass contained in the vehicle is ejected rearward by which thrust is produced
for its propulsion.”

2.3. Rocket engines are broadly divided into two categories:

• 2.3.1. Chemical
- Chemical rockets based on the type of propellant used, are divided into three categories—
solid, liquid, and hybrid
• 2.3.2. Nonchemical
-The type of energy used for propulsion, nonchemical rockets are divided into solar,
electrical, and nuclear engines.

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 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Villamor, Piccio Garden, Pasay City
Institute of Engineering and Technology

2.4. Comparison of Air-Breathing and Rocket Engines

Air-Breathing Engine Rocket Engine

1. It uses atmospheric air for combustion It carries its own oxidizer and fuel
2. It cannot operate in space (vacuum). It can operate in atmosphere and space.
3. Its performance is dependent on altitude and flight Its performance does not depend on altitude and flight
speed. speed.

4. The thrust developed by this engine is dependent The thrust of this engine is independent of flight
on flight speed speed.
5. It cannot operate beyond supersonic speed (M = It can operate at any flight velocity (Mach number: M =
5.0) 0–25)

6. Rate of climb decreases with altitude Rate of climb increases with altitude
7. Flight speed is always less than jet velocity Flight speed is not limited

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 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Villamor, Piccio Garden, Pasay City
Institute of Engineering and Technology

2.5. Assessment:
Instruction: Answer the following questions below.

• What are the two categories of propulsive device?

Answer:
• Classify the three gas turbine engine:
• Answer:
• Compare and contrast the Air-Breathing Engines and
Rocket Engines:
Answer:
CRITERIA FOR MODULE ASSESSMENT:

Percentage Criteria
30% Relevance: it directly answers the question
30% Understanding of the topic
15% Clear style, including accurate spelling, clear sentence construction and
punctuation
15% Use of own words, except where directly quoting from another source
10% Organization of material into a coherent structure: introduction,
argument and evidence, conclusion

Honesty Clause
My signature below constitutes my pledge that all of the writing is my own work, with the exception of
those portions which are properly documented.

Students Name and Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

2.6. Reference:
Fundamentals of Rocket Propulsion by Mishra, D. P. (Aerospace engineer), page. 8

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