Flow through Nozzles and Ducts We now consider application of the theory of compressible flows that we have developed

so far. What happens when we have a gas flow through area changes? - is the first question we ask. We have noted already that a subsonic flow responds to area changes in the same manner as an incompressible flow. A supersonic flow behaves in an opposite manner in that when there is an area decrease, Mach Number decreases, while for an area increase, Mach Number increases. We have also stated that a sonic flow can occur only at a throat, a section where area is the minimum. With this background we can explore the phenomena of gas flow through nozzles. Flow through a Converging Nozzle Consider a converging nozzle connected to a reservoir where stagnation conditions prevail,p = p0, T = T0 , u = 0. By definition reservoirs are such that no matter how much the fluid flows out of them, the conditions in them do not change. In other words, pressure, temperature, density etc. remain the same always. Pressure level pb at the exit of the nozzle is referred to as the Back Pressure and it is this pressure that determines the flow in the nozzle. Let us now study how the flow responds to changes in Back Pressure. When the Back Pressure, pb is equal to the reservoir pressure,p0, there is no flow in the nozzle. This is condition (1) in Fig.3.1. Let us reduce pb slightly top2(condition (2) in the Figure). Now a flow is induced in the nozzle. For relatively high values of pb , the flow is subsonic throughout. A further reduction in Back Pressure results in still a subsonic flow ,but of a higher Mach Number at the exit (condition (3)). Note that the mass flow rate increases. As pbis reduced we have an increased Mach Number at the exit along with an increased mass flow rate. How long can this go on? At a particular Back Pressure value the flow reaches sonic conditions (4). This value of Back pressure follows from Eqn.1.47 (See Sonic Point as Reference) . For air it is given by

(3.1)

What happens when the Back Pressure is further reduced (5,6 etc.) is interesting. Now the Mach Number at the exit tries to increase. It demands an increased mass flow from the reservoir. But as the condition at the exit is sonic, signals do not propagate upstream. The Reservoir is unaware of the conditions downstream and it does not send any more mass flow. Consequently the flow pattern remains unchanged in the nozzle. Any adjustment to the Back Pressure takes place outside of the nozzle. The nozzle is now said to be choked. The mass flow rate through the nozzle has reached its maximum possible value, choked value. From the Fig. 3.1 we see that there is an increase in mass flow rate only till choking condition (4) is reached. Thereafter mass flow rate remains constant.

Figure 3.1: Flow through a Converging Nozzle It is to be noted that for a non-choked flow, the Back Pressure and the pressure at the exit plane are equal. No special adjustment is necessary on the part of the flow. But when the nozzle is choked the two are different. The flow need to adjust. Usually this take place by means of expansion waves which help to reduce the pressure further.