Introduction:

In some life applications, one often encounters situations in which the density of a flowing fluid,
particularly gases is highly varying. This is called a compressible flow for which the properties
of the flow are dependent on the ratio of the gas speed to the speed of sound, a dimensionless
group called Mach number. These situations are met for example in flow of exhaust gases
through jet engines, or the shock wave produced by a supersonic airplane.
One particular application of interest is the acceleration of gases through convergent-divergent
nozzle called de Laval nozzle. The geometry of the nozzle help to produce a supersonic flow
without any energy consumption.
The purpose of this experiment is to measure the effect of varying the back pressure, which is the
pressure to which flow exhausts, on the static pressure in particular and on the gas properties
variation in the nozzle in general.
In order to achieve this goal, the use of a pressure distribution unit helped to measure the
variation of pressure across the nozzle through use of 8 different pressure gages. The
measurements taken at these gages should then help to plot the pressure distribution across the
nozzle for different values of the back pressure
It is also important to understand whether a normal shock wave occurred or not in the nozzle.
This could be shown by a sudden variation in the flow pressure across the shock waves.
Furthermore, the limitations of the study and the recommendations should be discussed.

Theory:
In the study of elementary fluid mechanics, one had always assumed an incompressoble flow in
which density was assumed to be constant which simplified much the analysis of the fluid
particle. However, in many phenomenon, the flow could have a variable density. When these
varaitions become significant, the flow is said to be a compressible flow. Examples of such flow
include flow of exhaust gases through jet engines nozzles or turbine nozzles of steam.
The compressible effects on the variation in then properties of the fluid are usually studied using
a dimensionless group called Mach number, in honor of Ernst Mach (1838-1916) an Austrian
physicit . Defined as the ratio of the velocity of the flow to the speed of sound, Mach number
helps to classify the flow (Transonic if Ma =1, subsonic if Ma < 1, and supersonic if Ma >1)

Flow nozzles could be classified as truncated nozzle (convergent) or convergent divergent

nozzles, called a de Laval nozzle. In these nozzles the minimum area occurs at a section that is
named the throat. Fluid properties change in the nozzle depend on Mach number which is related
to the geometry of the nozzle. Thus the fluid properties are also affected by the geometry of the
nozzle.

Figure. Converging-diverging nozzle (Nozzle Applet)

The theoretical background in this study of the pressure distribution across a de Laval nozzle is
based on the conservation of mass, momentum and energy as well as the second law of
Thermodynamics.

Assuming a quasi-one dimensional isentropic flow (adiabatic and in which friction effects are
neglected). The equations needed to analyze the flow could be written as

These fundamental relations describing the flow are used to find important relationships
describing variations of the fluid properties through a de Laval nozzle.

First consider a subsonic flow. For Ma < 1, it appears from the above equations that
for the convergent part of the nozzle where (dA/A)<0, the velocity variation is positive while the

pressure and density variations are both negative. Exactly the opposite occurs for supersonic
flow. This is known as the venturi mode of the nozzle since the variations resembles that of
incompressible flow past a venturi meter. These variations are shown in the figure below

Figure. Properties variations in a purely subsonic flow through a de Laval nozzle. (Compressible
flow in a Convergent Divergent nozzle)

If the flow enters supersonic (Ma>1) then velocity would decrease in the convergent section and
increase in the divergent section while pressure and density have the opposite trends. This
situation is of no interest since the main idea is to accelerate the flow to supersonic without loss
of energy.
Consider again a subsonic flow in the nozzle. It is now convenient to study the effect of varying
the back pressure on the properties variation inside the nozzle. As the back pressure is decreased,
the flow conserve the characteristics of the ordinary subsonic flow described above. When the
back pressure is further decreased, it reaches a value called the critical pressure denoted by p*,
where the flow is subsonic, becomes sonic at the throat and then flow back as subsonic. If the
back pressure is further decreased, the flow enters as subsonic, becomes sonic at the throat and
then becomes supersonic. As the back pressure might actually be higher than the pressure after
the flow became supersonic, a normal shock wave might occur as shown below

Figure. Example of a normal shock wave in a de Laval nozzle (Normal Shock in Variable Duct
Areas)
This occurs in the nozzle until it reaches its design condition, i.e. the one for which the shock
wave occurs at the exit. Any further reduction in the back pressure will not change the supersonic
behavior of flow inside the nozzle.
This trend is summarized in the plot of pressure distribution in a de Laval nozzle as a function of
back pressure.

Figure Pressure distribution in a de Laval nozzle.( NOZZLE INTERNAL FLOW)

Properties at the throat are all denoted by star p*, A*, T* etc if the flow is choked.
The properties variations through the nozzle are all function of the Mach number. These could be
summarized as

Where k is the specific heat ratio, p, T, etc are static pressure temperature and density in the
nozzle and pt, Tt, t are corresponding total properties.
(Compressible flow in a convergent-divergent nozzle)

References
Bahaidarah M. Haitham Experiment 4. Compressible flow in a convergent-divergent nozzle
Retrieved 4 Oct 2016 from http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/ME/haithamb/Experiment
%204.pdf
Convergent-divergent Supersonic nozzle Retrieved 4 Oct 2016 from
https://engineering.dartmouth.edu/~d30345d/courses/engs34/labD.pdf
Normal Shock in Variable Duct Areas. Retrieved 5 Oct 2016 from
http://www.potto.org/gasDynamics/node123.php
Nozzle Applet Retrieved 5 Oct 2016 from
http://www.engapplets.vt.edu/fluids/CDnozzle/cdinfo.html
NOZZLE INTERNAL FLOW Retrieved 5 Oct 2016 from
http://www.aerorocket.com/Nozzle/Nozzle.html