Dept of Mech. Engg.

III Sem Auto

Chapter 8
Jet Propulsion System
Introduction:
Jet propulsion systems are systems in which the work output of the gas turbine plant is
used to produce high velocity jet of hot gases and this jet is used to propel the vehicles in
which the systems are mounted. Jet propulsion may be defined as the propulsion of the jet
aircrafts or other missiles by reaction of jet coming out with high velocity

Jet Propulsion Systems:

1. Screw Propeller

In this system, the total power developed by the turbine is used to drive the
compressor and propeller. The above fig shows the power plant for the screw
propeller. By controlling the supply of fuel in the combustion chamber, the power
supplied to the propeller can be controlled. The rate of increase of efficiency of the
screw propeller is higher at lower speeds
2. Turbojet
The fig below shows a turbojet unit. Here the turbine of the unit produces power by
partial expansion just sufficient to drive the compressor. The exhaust gases from the

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turbine which are at higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure are expanded in a
nozzle and a very high velocity jet is produced which provides a forward motion to

the aircraft by the jet reaction. At higher speeds the turbojet gives higher propulsion
efficiency. The turbojets are most suited to the aircrafts traveling above 800 km/h

3. Ramjet

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It is an air breathing engine which operates on the principles of turbojet. Its basic
operating cycle is similar to that of a turbojet engine.
Ramjet consists of a diffuser, fuel injector, flame holding device, combustion
chamber and exit nozzle. The air taken in is compressed by the diffuser. Fuel is
injected and mixed with the air in the diffuser. The fuel air mixture burns in the
region of low velocity created by the flame holder. These gases pass through the
combustion chamber increasing its temperature and volume. Velocity is increased and
gases go out of this portion and allow fresh charge to come in the combustion
chamber. The gases are expanded in the nozzle and produce thrust.
Ramjet produces very high thrust with high efficiency at super sonic speeds. This
characteristic makes it useful on high speed aircrafts and missiles. Ramjets are used
where boosting up can be provided by rockets or turbojet engines. Guided missiles
and high supersonic speed aircrafts are its applications.
Rocket Propulsion:

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Similar to the jet propulsion, the thrust required for rocket propulsion is provided by
the high velocity jet of gases passing through the nozzle, but the main difference is
that in case of jet propulsion the oxygen required for combustion is taken from the
atmosphere and fuel is stored where as for rocket engine the fuel and oxidiser both
are contained in a propelling body and as such, it can function in vacuum. The fig
shows a simple type, single stage liquid propellant rocket. It consists of a fuel tank
FT, an oxidiser tank O, two pumps P1 and P2, a steam turbine ST and a combustion
chamber CC. The fuel tank contains alcohol and the oxidiser tank contains liquid
oxygen. The fuel and the oxidiser are supplied by the pumps to the combustion
chamber, where the fuel is ignited by electrical means. The pumps are driven with the
help of steam turbines. Steam is produced by mixing concentrated hydrogen peroxide
and potassium permanganate. The products of combustion are discharged from the
combustion chamber through the nozzle N, so that the rocket moves in the opposite
direction. In some modified form rockets may be used as missiles.

Uses of Rockets
1. Long range artillery
2. Lethal weapons
3. Signaling and fire work display
4. Jet assisted take off
5. For satellites
6. For space ships

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