AE334 PROPULSION SYSTEMS I

LABWORK 2
NOZZLE FLOW

CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS
In the calculation and result part of your lab reports you are required to determine the following items
and comment on your results.
Plot and comment on the variation of the mass flow rate with back-to-inlet pressure ratio
(P2/P1)
Comment on your observations related to choking of the nozzle
Plot and comment on the variation of the thrust (F) and specific thrust (F/m ) with P2/P1
Calculate the theoretical mass flow rate for a perfect gas flowing isentropically through the
nozzle and compare your results with the measured data
Comment on your observations and results comparing them with the theoretical ones (taking
into account the errors during the measurements)

In your lab reports you should pay attention to the following points:
You should state the objective of the experiment explicitly!
You should write each part of the report with your own words based on your experience during
the experiments not based on the lab manual!
You are required to show your calculations! For repeated calculations, you can show only one
sample solution in detail and write the results of other calculations!
You should always discuss your results and comment on the experimental errors if occurred!
Do not COPY any part of the report from OTHER REPORTS or LAB MANUALS! Each report should
be original!
You are required to show your references if used in the report!

In order to find the thrust values for each data set you are required to calibrate your micrometer
numbers based on the following graph.




In the foolowing pages you can find the old lab manual of this experiment. Dont forget we didnt
conduct the experiment based on this manual. You should write your reports based on your own
experience during the experiments.

Good luck


LABWORK 1

Nozzle Flow
















INTRODUCTION and OBJECTIVE
Nozzles are critical components in a wide range of aerospace engineering applications
such as turbines, jet propulsion, rocket systems and ejectors. These devices are designed to
generate a high velocity jet of fluid at their exit plane. This jet may be used in several ways:
In a turbine, nozzles are used to increase the kinetic energy of the fluid, which is then
converted to shaft work through a rotor.
In rockets and jet propulsion, the change of momentum associated with the velocity
changes in the nozzle provides most of the propulsion force.
In ejectors and injectors, the changes of momentum of the jet, with its entrained fluid, is
used to bring about the desired pressure changes.
In an ideal nozzle, flow would be reversible, (i.e. without heat transfer and without
frictional effects, shocks, etc.) and therefore isentropic.

The objective of this labwork is to determine the effect of back pressure on the mass flow rate
exiting from a nozzle that is operating at a constant inlet pressure. Comparisons of the measured
mass flow rate will be performed with the theoretical value for a perfect gas flowing
isentropically through the nozzle.



EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
The experimental setup is shown in the figure below. It consists of a convergent nozzle
attached at the end of a cantilever. Both the nozzle and the cantilever are embedded inside a
pressure chamber. The inlet pressure to the nozzle and the pressure inside the chamber (i.e. back
pressure) can be controlled. Both of these pressures as well as inlet and exit temperatures, and the
mass flow rate exiting from the nozzle can be measured. When a high velocity jet is exiting from
the nozzle the cantilever gets deflected. This deflection, which can also be measured, is directly
related to the force applied on the cantilever due to jet exit momentum change and therefore to
the jet exit velocity.





























MEASUREMENTS

Please perform the following steps when collecting the experimental data:
1. Close the air inlet valve and open the chamber pressure control valve.
2. Check that the micrometer dial has been correctly zeroed.
3. Adjust the air inlet and air exit control valves to obtain the inlet-exit pressure
combinations given in the table below.

4. Then rotate the micrometer adjustment screw until the voltmeter and lamb indicates that
the contact is just made.
5. For every inlet-exit pressure combination observe and record the pressures, temperatures,
airflow rate and the dial reading. You can use a table similar to the one below for
recording your data.

Inlet Pressure
(P
1
, kN/m
2
)
Back pressure
(P
2
, kN/m
2
)
(gauge)
Nozzle mass
flow rate
( m, g/s)
Deflection
(dial)
(Find corresponding F
value from the chart)
Inlet
Temperature
(T
1
, C)
Exit
Temperature
(T
2
, C)
400 0-400
(every 50
kPa)

500 0-500
(every 50
kPa)
























CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

Plot and comment on the variation of the mass flow rate with exit-to-inlet pressure ratio (P
2
/P
1
)
for both inlet pressure levels. Write your observations related to choking of the nozzle.

Plot and comment on the variation of the specific thrust (F/ m) with exit-to-inlet pressure ratio
(P
2
/P
1
) for both inlet pressure levels.