Fluid_Mechanics_Lesson_15C_NA

COMPRESSIBLE FLOW IN CONVERGING-DIVERGING DUCTS
In this lesson, we will:

• Discuss why, for flow from a pressurized tank, Supersonic Flow can occur only if there is
a Throat in the duct
• Derive the Area Ratio vs. Mach Number Relationship for steady, adiabatic, isentropic,
one-dimensional flow in a duct and how to solve for Mach number at a given area ratio
• Discuss what happens in a Converging-Diverging Duct as back pressure varies
• Do some example problems
Sonic Conditions at a Throat
Recall the conservation of mass equation for steady, one-dimensional compressible flow in a
duct of variable area:
dA dV
(
= Ma 2 − 1
A
) V
Conclusion: For steady, one-dimensional, isentropic, adiabatic duct flow from an upstream
pressurized tank, sonic (*) conditions can occur only at a throat (minimum area) in the duct.
Converging-Diverging Duct (C-D Duct or C-D Nozzle)
The Area Ratio vs. Mach Number Relationship

Consider steady, adiabatic, isentropic, one-dimensional flow in a duct of variable area.
Recall the equations for mass flow rate through a converging duct:
−( k +1)
k  k −1  2( k −1)
=
General case (not necessarily choked): m P0 AMa 1 + Ma 2 
RT0  2 
−( k +1)
k  k +1 2( k −1)
m m=
Choked case (Ma = 1 and A = A*):= max P0 A*  
RT0  2 
These equations also apply to flow through a converging-diverging duct.
The Area Ratio vs. Mach Number Relationship for steady, adiabatic, isentropic, one-
dimensional flow in a duct:
k +1
A 1  2  k − 1 2   2( k −1)
=  1 + Ma  
A Ma  k + 1 
*
2 
Example: Area Ratio for a Given Mach Number
Given: Air flows from a pressurized tank through a converging-diverging nozzle. The back
pressure is low enough that the flow is subsonic upstream of the throat, sonic at the throat,
and supersonic downstream of the throat. The throat area is 0.136 m2.
To do: Calculate the area at a location where Ma = 0.3059. Repeat for Ma = 2.197.
Solution: First we list our Assumptions and Approximations:
1. The flow is one-dimensional (V ≈ uniform across any duct cross section)
2. The air is an ideal gas
3. The flow is steady
4. The flow is nearly isentropic
5. The flow is adiabatic
6. The tank is so large that stagnation conditions in the tank do not change appreciably
Then we apply the area ratio vs. Mach number relationship,
k +1
A 1  2  k − 1 2   2( k −1)
=  1 + Ma  
A* Ma  k + 1  2 
How to Solve for Mach Number at a Given Area Ratio
k +1
A 1  2  k − 1 2   2( k −1)
=  1 + Ma  
A* Ma  k + 1  2 
See my short YouTube video called “False Position

Method in Excel ” for more details about the False
Position Method and how to properly interpolate to
converge on a solution.
https://youtu.be/RTY7QyxBMNA
Example: Area Ratio for a Given Mach Number
Given: Air flows from a pressurized tank through a converging-diverging nozzle. The back
pressure is low enough that the flow is subsonic upstream of the throat, sonic at the throat,
and supersonic downstream of the throat. The throat area is 0.136 m2.
To do: Calculate the Mach number at the two locations where the cross-sectional area is
0.272 m2.
Solution: First we list our Assumptions and Approximations:
1. The flow is one-dimensional (V ≈ uniform across any duct cross section)
2. The air is an ideal gas
3. The flow is steady
4. The flow is nearly isentropic
5. The flow is adiabatic
6. The tank is so large that stagnation conditions in the tank do not change appreciably
Then we apply the area ratio vs. Mach number relationship,
k +1
A 1  2  k − 1 2   2( k −1)
=  1 + Ma  
A* Ma  k + 1  2 
Screenshot from Excel:

Converging-Diverging Duct – the Effect of Varying Back Pressure
Let’s do a “thought experiment” in which we slowly lower back pressure Pb and discuss
what happens to the flow in a converging-diverging duct.
Figure from Çengel and Cimbala, Ed. 4.

Fluid_Mechanics_Lesson_15C_NA

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Fluid_Mechanics_Lesson_15C_NA

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COMPRESSIBLE FLOW IN CONVERGING-DIVERGING DUCTS

In this lesson, we will:

The Area Ratio vs. Mach Number Relationship

See my short YouTube video called “False Position

Screenshot from Excel:

Figure from Çengel and Cimbala, Ed. 4.

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