Thermodynamics - MEC 454/ LS 1/ WAN Rev.

01-2009

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
___________________________________________________________________

Program : Bachelor Of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical

Course : Thermodynamics Lab
Code : MEC 454
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LAB SHEET NO: 1

THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY SHEET

TITLE : Determination Of Jet Velocity And Nozzle Efficiency

1. INTRODUCTION

Nozzles are suitably shaped passages in which a fluid accelerates as its pressure
decreases.
If the fluid is “compressible”, (i.e. a gas or vapour), very high velocities can be
obtained with quite moderate pressure ratios, (e.g. the local speed of sound when the
pressure is approximately halved).
Nozzles are vital components in a wide variety of engineering applications, such as
turbines, Jet Propulsion, Rockets and Ejectors

The high velocity jet of fluid leaving a nozzle may be used in several ways:

In a turbine, the kinetic energy stored in the fluid forms the energy available to
the
blades or the rotor for conversion to shaft work.

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.

The Ideal Nozzle And Nozzle Efficiency

Flow through a perfect nozzle would be reversible, (i.e. without heat transfer
and without frictional effects, shocks, etc.), and will therefore be isentropic. If
thermodynamic data related to the fluid is known, the theoretical velocities
and other relationships for an isentropic nozzle may be calculated. Due to the
effects of friction, uncontrolled expansion, shocks etc., the velocity of the jet of
fluid leaving a nozzle will be lower than that from an ideal nozzle.

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 Thermodynamics - MEC 454/ LS 1/ WAN Rev. 01-2009

Theory

Pressure ratio,
P2
rp = ( ratio of outlet and inlet absolute pressures)
P1
Nozzle efficiency,
Actual KE at nozzle exit V2a2
* N = =
Isentropic KE at nozzle exit V2s2

h
P1 ( inlet pressure)

1
Isentropic process

Actual process
P2 (exit pressure)

2a
2s S

Finding the actual velocity :

Air injet,
V2a

Note that the air has no axial velocity when it leaves the impact head.

From Newton’s Second Law, the force exerted ( in axial direction ) is equal to
the rate of change of momentum ( in the same direction ).

.
 F = m V2
.
V2a = F / m

Finding isentropic velocity :

2

inlet exit

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Energy balance equation between 1 and 2 :

2 2

q–w = h2 s  h1  +  V2 s V
 1  + g z1  z 2  …………… 1
2 2

q = 0 ( adiabatic ) w = 0 ( no work transfer )

gz  = negligible for gas and small difference in height.

V12 = negligible compared to V22

V2s2
 Eqn 1 become = h1 – h2s = C Pa v (T1 – T2s) for perfect gas
2
V2s = 2 C Pav T1  T2 s  ……… 2

2  
  1 

= R  T1  T1 rp    
 1  

 1
2  
= R T1 1  r p  
 1  
 

Note that,

Cp = Cv + R
Cp  Cp 
=  R    
  Cv 

 1
 Cp 1    R
  

  1
 Cp    R
  

 Cp  R ……….. 3
 1

Finding theoretical air mass flow rate

.
m   A V  2 A2 V2 s

For perfect gas P   R T

P2
 2 
RT2 s

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 Thermodynamics - MEC 454/ LS 1/ WAN Rev. 01-2009

2. APPARATUS

THE HILTON NOZZLE PERFORMANCE TEST UNIT

This unit has been specifically designed to allow students to investigate the
performance of a range of nozzles ( i ) as kinetic energy producers, and ( ii ) as thrust
producers. Since the unit works on air at ambient temperature it stabilizes
immediately and its energy consumption is only the energy input needed to drive a
relatively small compressor.

MAIN COMPONENT

Chamber Stainless steel, 50mm dia. And approx. 300mm

long,
T shaped. End cover secured by stainless steel
bolts and sealed by ‘O’ ring. The chamber is
fitted with a drain valve.

Nozzles Throat diameter 2.0mm (nominal). One

convergent.
Four convergent-divergent with Exit Are/Throat
Area ratios of 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 respectively.
Divergence 10° (included).

Pressure Gauges Two, 0 to 1100 kN m-2, to measure inlet and

chamber pressures.

Thermometers Three mercury-in-glass, 150mm long – to

measure inlet and chamber temperatures.

Flow Meter Variable area type meter to measure air flow –

range 1.0 to 9.0 gramme s-1. Calibrated for a
standard atmosphere. Corrections are supplied
for other conditions.

Valves Diverter Valve – to direct air to a nozzle

mounted in the wall of the chamber (for nozzle
efficiency test), OR to the hollow cantilever (for
jet reaction test).

Needle Valve – to given fine control of nozzle

inlet pressure.

Back Pressure Valve – to control the pressure in

the chamber.

100 kN m-2 = 1 bar = 14.5 1bf/in2

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3. EXPERIMENTAL : DETERMINATION OF JET VELOCITY AND NOZZLE

EFFICIENCY

1) Close the air inlet control valve and open the chamber pressure control valve.
Before proceeding further, ensure that the contacts are clean, that the battery
is in good condition and that the impact head is fitted to the end of the
cantilever. Also, check that the micrometer dial has been correctly zeroed and
that a cantilever load / deflection graph is available.

2) Unscrew the knurled nut at the top right hand end of the chamber, withdraw
the nozzle mounting sleeve and assemble Nozzle no. 1 into the unit.

3) Turn the diverter valve handle to the upward position.

4) With the chamber pressure control valve fully open, adjust the inlet control
valve to give a constant air inlet pressure 600 kPa gage.

5) Rotate the micrometer adjustment screw until the voltmeter and the lamp
indicates that contact is just made. (Greatest sensitivity is obtained if the
screw is adjusted so that the voltmeter indicates about 0.5V)

6) Record the pressure, temperatures, air mass flow rate and dial reading.

7) Increase the chamber pressure to about 100 kPa gage and repeat the above
step.

8) Making sure that the inlet pressure remains constant, repeat the test at other
chamber pressures ( in increments of 100 kPa )

9) Repeat the whole test with other nozzles.

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4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

1) Correct the observed air mass flow rate, if needed and tabulate the result
against the pressure ratio (p2 / p1) for each nozzle.
2) Calculate the nozzle efficiency for each test and tabulate the result against
the pressure ratio (p2/p1) for each nozzle.
3) Plot the corrected experimental air flow rates against the pressure ratio for all
nozzles used on the graph. Similarly plot nozzle efficiency against pressure
ratio.
4) From the graph and for each nozzle, estimate the pressure ratio (p2/p1) at
which the air mass flow rate reaches its maximum value. Compare the
theoretical and experimental air mass flow rates at this point. What is the
effect on the air mass flow rate when this pressure ratio is reduced further?
5) From the graph and for each nozzle, estimate the pressure ratio (p2/p1) at
which the nozzle efficiency is at its lowest.

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