UZB 441E Rocket Propulsion

Fall 2011 / Dr. Yuceil

Midterm Exam
Solution
1.

(15 pts)

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

1 pt

Is1 < Is2 < Is3

3pt
Is4> Is5 > Is6
Is3 > Is2 > Is1 = I s4 > Is5 > Is6

2. Now-reti red Space Shuttle Orbiter us es its main engine (SSME) and two Solid Rocket
Boosters (SRBs) for launch into a LEO. D uring launch and ascent of the spacecraft both
SSM E and SRBs are us ed together until SRB separation at T+124 seconds after which
SSM E is burned for about an additional 6 minutes. SSM E has three engine units and
uses LO 2/LH2 for propellant fed from an external tank attached to the orbi ter body.
Assume that the spacecraft follows a trajectory of quarter circul ar arc during its
powered flight. Using the information given in the table below calculate the speed at
which the SSME is shut down. What is the corresponding orbital altitude? Ignore
atmospheric drag and assume that the external tank remai ns attached to the vehicle at
all times during the powered flight. Clearly state all other assumption you make. (30
pts)
System
SRB
Orbiter
(per
External
with SSM E booster)
Tank
Total initial mass, kg
110,000
571,000 756,000
Thrust, kN
5255
12,500
N/A
Empty mass, kg
78,000
68,000
26,535
Burn time, s
480
124
N/A

You can use the following expression for velocity as a function of time:

= 0 ln 1 sin

where is the angle that the flight direction makes with horizontal direction. (i.e., at t = 0; = /2 and at t = tp1
+ tp2; = 0 where tp1 is the burn duration with SSME + SRBs and tp2 is the burn duration after SRB separation
until SSME cutoff.)

Assuming linear variation of wi th t, = 1

2

1 +2

Powered flight of the orbiter can be broken down into two stage-phases. First phase is the joint operation of
SSM E and SRBs from lift-off (T + 0) to SRB separation at (T + 124) seconds. At this point SRBs are separated
and the orbiter continues its flight wi th the operation of SSM E only until its shutdown at (T + 480) seconds.

First stage-phase:

Total initial mass is the s um of all sub systems (i.e., external tank + orbiter + 2 SRBs)
m01 = 756000 + 110000 + 2571000 = 2, 008,000 kg

mp1 = (571000 68000)2 + 124/480(756000 26535) = 1,194,445 kg

1 = mp1/m01 = 1194445/2008000 = 0.595

During the first phas e, all engines are burning, so the thrus t is
F1 = 5255 + 212500103 = 30255 kN
tp1 = 124 s

1 =

1
1

1194445
124

If 1 = 1 1, then
1 =

= 9632.6 kg/s

30255 103
9632.6

= 3140.9 m/s

Velocity as a function of time:

= 0 ln 1

sin

For the firs t stage phase operation for 0 < t < tp1

1
0 sin
1 = 1 ln 1
1
0
Velocity at the end of first stage phase (SRB burnout) (u1 = up1 at t = tp1) will then be

1 = 1 ln (1 1 ) 0
0

sin

Relation between and t:

then =
= 1

2
1 + 2
21 + 2
tp1 = 124 s
tp2 = 480 - tp1 = 356 s

124
356
89
= 1
=
=
1 = 1
2
2
480
2 480
240
1 + 2
Then the integral will be
21 + 2 1
sin
1 = 1 ln (1 1 ) + 0

1 = 1 ln (1 1 ) 0
1 = 1 ln (1 1 ) 0

21 + 2

2 1 + 2

Subs titute numerical values,

cos 1 cos
2

1 = 3140.9 ln(1 0.595) 9.806

= . m/s

( cos )|1

2 480

cos

89
240

Second stage-phas e:

In this phase, SRB operation has ceas ed and SRBs are detached from the v ehicle. Therefore total initial mass
will be those of orbiter plus the external tank wi th remaining fuel in it. It can be obtained by subtracting the
first stage fuel mass and the SRB empty mass from the total initial mass of the fi rst stage.
m02 = m01 mp1 mSRBem = 2008000 1194445 68000 2 = 677,555 kg

mp2 = 356/480(756000 26535) = 541,020 kg

2 = mp2/m02 = 541020/677555 = 0.7985

During the second phase, only SSME is burni ng, so the thrust is
F2 = 5255 kN

tp1 = 356 s

2 =
2 =

2
2

541020
356

= 1519.72 kg/s

5255 103
1519.72

= 3457.9 m/s

Velocity as a function of time for the second stage phase operation for 0 < t < tp2
2
0 sin
2 = 02 2 ln 1
2
Velocity at the end of second stage phase (SSM E burnout) (u2 = up2 at t = tp2) will then be

2 = 1 2 ln(1 2 ) 0

1+2

sin

Relation between and t:

then =
= 1

2
1 + 2
21 + 2
89
1 =
240

1 + 2
=0
2 = 1
2
1 + 2
Then the integral will be
21 + 2 0
sin
1 = 1 2 ln(1 2 ) + 0

1
2 = 1 2 ln(1 2 ) 0
2 = 1 2 ln(1 2 ) 0

Subs titute numerical values,

21 + 2

21 + 2

( cos )|0

1 cos 1

2 = 1656.1 3457.9 ln (1 0.7985) 9.806

= . m/s

2 480

89
1 cos

240

Orbital alti tude corres pondi ng to this velocity can be obtained from the circular orbi tal alti tude value
corresponding to this velocity,

= 0

(0 + )

= 6374.2 103

9.80665
= 5381.9 m/s
(6374.2 + ) 103

h = 7382 km
Comment: Since the final velocity of the orbiter is found to be 5381.9 m/s which is significantly less than the
actual orbital velocity (7680 m/s at an al titude of 380 kilometers) the required orbi tal alti tude will be such a
large value to maintain such a low orbi tal velocity.

3. A supersonic nozzle for a rocket propulsion system is designed to operate at s ea level wi th a throat diameter of
0.20 m and an area ratio of 4. For the exhaust gas T0 = 2800 K, k = 1.2 and R = 310 J/kgK.
(a) Determine the exit Mach number, exi t velocity, and exit temperature as well as the chamber pressure.
(b) How much should the exit area be changed to achieve a 10% increase in exit velocity? Compare the
new thrust to that of the design case. Assume no change in gas properties. How close to optimum
nozzle expansion is this nozzle? (25 pts)
At sea level, ambient pressure, p = 0.101335 MPa
A2/At = 4, dt = 0.20 m, T1 = T0 = 2800 K, k = 1. 2, R = 310 J/kgK

(a)

+1

1 2 1
2
1+
2
1
2

=
1
2
1+
2
4=

11

1 + 0.122

2
1.1
1

M2 can be obtained via trial and error solution (assume values for M2 and try to bal ance the right hand side
(RHS) with the v alue (4) on left hand side:
Let M2 = 2 then RHS = 1.8837
Let M2 = 2.5 then RHS = 3.4205
Let M2 = 2.7 then RHS = 4.455 (we went over, it should be between 2. 5 and 2.7)
Let M2 = 2.6 then RHS =3.8983
Let M2 = 2.65 then RHS = 4.166
Let M2 = 2.62 then RHS = 4.003 (close enough)
Then,
M2 = 2.62
at sea level, p3 = 0.101335 MPa. Since the nozzl e is designed for sea l evel we will assume optimum expansion
condition so that p2 = p3 = 0.101335 M Pa.
Using isentropic expansion through the nozzl e,
1

= 1 +

1
2

Exit v elocity:

22

1.2

= [ 1 + 0.1 (2.62) 2 ] 0.2 = 23.005

0.2

1.2
2.4
2 (1)/
1
(310 ) (2800) 1
=
= m/s
2 =
1 1
1
0.2
23.005
1

Exit temperature:
2 = 1

2
1

(1)/

If p1/p2 = 23.005

= 2800

23.005

then

0.2
1.2

= .

p1 = 2.33 MPa

(b) 10% increase in exit velocity

2 = 2 + 0.12 = 2264.9 m/s

1
2
2 = 2 2 = 2 2 = 2 1 = 2

1 ( )2
1
1+
2
2

rearranging,

2 =
2 =

1 ( )2
2
2

2264 .9

(1.2)(310) (2800 ) + 0.1 (2264 .9)2

+1

2264.9
727.06

= 3.115

1 ( )2 1
11
2
1+
2
1
1
1 + 0.1(3.115) 2
2

=
=
= .
1
3.115
2
1.1
1+
2
2 (0.20) 2
=
=
= 0.031416 m2
4
4
2 = 7.9235 = 7.9235 0.031416 = . m 2
2 = 4 = 4 0.031416 = 0.1257 m2

Change in the exit area:

2 2
2

0.2489 0.1257
0.1257

= %

For thrus t at design condition (optimum expansion, p2 = p3),

= 2 + ( 2 3 )2 = 2
+1

2 1
2 11

+1

2.2
= 1
= 2.33 106 (0.031416) ( 1.2)
= 50.954 kg/s
(1.2)(310) (2800)
1
= 2 = 50.954 2059 = . kN

Thrust at new exi t velocity (mass flow rate will remain the same since p1, T1, At, and k do not change but exi t
pressure, p2 will change since the area ratio increases.
= 2 + ( 2 3 )2

1
2

= 1 +
=

1 +

1
2

(2 )2

1 ( )2
2
2

2.33
= 0.0398 MPa
[ 1 + 0.1 (3.115) 2 ] 6

= 2 + ( 2 3 )2 = (50.954) (2264 .9) + (0.0398 0.101335 ) 106 (0.2489 )

= .

Even though the exit velocity is increased the thrust is actually reduced due to overexpansion (p2 < p3). Nozzle
is over-expanded.

4. The enthalpy per mass of the products (hm-hmTd) which results from the heat of formation of
products is 2.670 kcal/g in combustion of hydrogen and oxygen in a rocket engine. If oxygen
enters the fuel-rich combustion ( = 0.38) at 100 K determine
(a) the combustion temperature Tc and the composition (mole numbers) of the products
(b) temperature at which the hydrogen enters the combustion
(c) pressure pc at which the combustion takes place (hi nt: use the Law of Mass Action)
Molecular weights of the reactants are MH2 = 2 g and MO2 = 32 g. Assume that simplified
reaction model given below is appropriate. The enthalpy (in kcal) required to raise the
reactants from Tin to Td plus the enthalpy required to raise the products from Td to Tc for
pres ent reaction condi tions is given in table on the right. (30 pts)
l = 0.38, (Tin)O2 = 100 K, hm hmTd = 2.670 kcal/g

H2 + O 2 H2 O + H2 + O 2

(a)
The enthalpy per mass of the products (hm-hmTd) res ults from the heat of formation of products.
Taking Td = 298 K
29 8 =
2.670 =

H
2O

H2 O
(57 .798)

298

2 + 32 0.38

H
2O

2 + 32

T (K)
2000
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
2600
2700
2800
2900
3000
3100
3200
3300
3400
3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

H req
15.3585
16.4903
17.6354
18.7921
19.9599
21.1387
22.3273
23.5247
24.7310
25.9466
27.1710
28.4061
29.6533
30.9135
32.1743
33.4799
34.7856
36.1068
37.4410
38.7893
40.1485
41.5180
42.8979
44.2852
45.6791
47.0813

298

= .

= 1 = 1 0.6171
= .

= 2( )

0.6171
= = 0.38
2
2
= .

Calculate the enthalpy released by the reaction ( ) using the heats of formation at Td:
0

= H
2O

298

= 0.6541 ( 57.798) = 37.806 kcal

This enthalpy value will be equal to the required enthalpy at the combustion temperature. Therefore, Tc can be
obtai ned from the table by interpolation between
Hreq1 = 37.4410 kcal at T1 = 3800 K and,
Hreq2 = 38.7893 kcal at T2 = 3900 K

Therefore, interpolation for Hreq = 37.806 kcal gives

= 3800 + (3900 3800)

Tc = 3827 K

37.806 37.4410

38.7893 37.4410

(b) Since now we have the values of combustion temperature and the required enthalpy we can calculate the inlet
temperature of hydrogen by

0 )
0 )
0
0
0
0
0
0
( 0
req = ( 0 298
H2 , in 298 O2 , in + ( 298 )H2 O, + ( 298 )H2 , + ( 298 )O2 ,

0 )
( 0 298
O

2 ,100

= 1.381 kcal/mole

0
0
0
)H2 O, , ( 0 298
)H2 , and ( 0 298
)O2 , at Tc = 3827 K. Thus, we
We need the values of ( 0 298
0
0
need to interpolate the values of ( 298 ) for H2O, H2 and O 2 from tables between 3800K and 3900 K. Thus,

3827 3800
0 )
0 )
0 )
( 0
( 0
( 0 298 ) H ,3827 = ( 0 298
H2 ,3800 + 298 H2 ,3900 298 H2 ,3800
2
3900 3800
3827 3800
(
)
= 28.457 + 29.385 28.457
= 28.708 kcal/mole
3900 3800
Similarly,

0 )
( 0 298
O2 ,3827 = 31.488 kcal/mole
0 )
0
( 298
H O,3827 = 41.415 kcal/mole
2

Subs titute into above equation

0 )
37.806 = ( 0 298
H2 , in 0.38 (1.381) + 0.6541 41.415 + 0.3459 28.708 + 0.05294 31.488
0
0
( 298 ) H , = 1.405 kcal/mole
2 in

Closest entry in Table 3.2 for H2 at 500 K is 1.406 kcal /mole, therefore

( in )H = 500 K
2

(c) For pressure let us first calculate equilibrium constant, Kp for H2O from Tabl e 3.3 using combus tion
temperature

3827

3800

3900

3800

Using the Law of M ass Action for the reaction

1

3827 3800
3900 3800

( /) 2 (/) = ( ) 2

nt = m + n + q = 1 + q = 1 + 0.05294 = 1.05294
1

(1.05294 /0.05294) 2 (0.6541/0.3459) = 2.45( ) 2

= 11.85 atm

= 100.413 + (100 .322 100.413 )

3827 3800
3900 3800

= 2.45