Exp.

3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

NOZZLE PERFORMANCE TEST UNIT

AIM
 Determine the effect of back pressure on mass flow rate and to calculate the nozzle
efficiency through impact loading.
 Determine the specific thrust by varying back pressure by jet reaction.

APPARATUS
 Nozzle performance test unit F790 – The setup is specifically designed to allow us to
investigate the performance of a range of nozzles as kinetic energy producers and as
thrust producers. The unit also allows investigation of the mass flow rate through
nozzles.
 The Setup unit works on air at ambient temperature and stabilizes immediately and its
energy consumption is only the energy input needed to drive a relatively small
compressor.
 Different types of nozzle like type-1, type-3 and type-5. Type-1 is convergent nozzle,
type-2 is convergent-divergent nozzle and type-5 is also convergent-divergent nozzle.
 Air reservoir is also required and one pressurized unit that can supply the air to the
performance unit.

Fig.1 PA Hilton Nozzle performance test unit F790

Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of Setup F790

Theory
 A nozzle is suitably shaped passage in which a fluid is accelerated to high Velocity
while its static pressure decreases.
 Nozzles are frequently used as thrust –producers for jet and rocket engines.
 Compressible flows are not analysed in the same manner as incompressible flows. As
a compressible flow passes through devices such as nozzle, its temperature, pressure
and density are all free to vary.
 Variations in these fields provide additional unknowns that must be accounted for.
 To simplify the analysis of the flows in the current experiment, in theory the nozzles
will be modelled according to isentropic theory.
 Isentropic theory assumes that the entropy of the fluid remains constant throughout the
nozzle. Hence the temperature of the fluid should not change appreciably from one side
of the nozzle to the other.
 A nozzle can be used to increase the velocity from subsonic to supersonic or to decrease
from supersonic to subsonic.
 The relation for area velocity is given below-

 From the above relation we can say that the Mach no will be unity only at the point in
the nozzle at which the dA will be zero that means at the throat.
 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.
 The efficiency of nozzle is given by in terms of kinetic energy is-
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

 Consider an isentropic one-dimensional expansion through a passage-

Fig. 3 A C-D nozzle

 The following relation we can apply at any section X-X that is-

 Assuming that the velocity is zero at the nozzle inlet, then we can say that-

 The relation for the mass flow rate is given by the formula given below-

 Specific thrust is defined as the Thrust per unit mass flow rate is called the specific thrust.
 The velocity of jet is calculated by the Newton’s 2nd law of motion i.e. - Axial force per unit
mass flow rate.
 Measurement of velocity- The compressed air is delivered to a nozzle mounted in the
wall of a chamber. The jet of air issuing from the nozzle strikes a specifically designed
impact head mounted on the end of a hollow cantilever. Air leaving this impact head
has no axial velocity and the force associated with the change of momentum causes the
cantilever to deflect.
 Measurement of jet reaction and specific thrust- For this, the nozzle hole in the
chamber wall is plugged. The nozzle under investigation is then screwed into the end
of the cantilever so that it discharges vertically upward into the chamber.
Compressed air is then supplied through the hollow cantilever and the jet reaction again
causes a deflection which is measured by the micrometre adjustment and contacts.
Procedure
1. Measurement of jet velocity and nozzle efficiency-
1. The air valve is closed and it has been made sure that the setup is not
pressurized.
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

2. The contact is fully lowered by rotating micrometre screw.

3. The nuts are which secures the flange at the left hand end of the chamber is
unscrewed and the cantilever is withdrawn.
4. The impact head is screwed into the end of the cantilever.
5. The cantilever is then reassembled into the chamber.
6. The micrometre dial is set to zero.
7. The knurled nut at the top right hand end of the chamber is unscrewed and
nozzle mounting sleeve is withdrawn.
8. The chosen nozzle is then screwed into the mounting sleeve and the mounting
sleeve is reassembled into the chamber.
9. The diverter valve handle is turned to the right.
10. The inlet pressure is held constant and the back pressure is varied from 0kPa to
650kPa.
11. The value of mass flow rate from the rotameter and deflection readings from
micrometre is obtained at different back pressures.
12. The step 8 & 9 is repeated for obtaining data for two other Convergent-divergent
nozzles like type-3 and type-5.

2. Jet reaction or specific thrust test-

13. The above steps 1 to 3 are same for this test.
14. The impact head is now unscrewed from the cantilever and the knurled adaptor
is fit in its place.
15. The chosen nozzle is then screwed into the adaptor.
16. The micrometre dial is again set to zero.
17. The knurled nut at the top right hand end of the chamber is unscrewed and
nozzle mounting sleeve is withdrawn and left unsupported.
18. The deflector secured with the knurled nut is fit in place of the nozzle sleeve.
19. The diverter valve is turned to the left.
20. The step 11 is repeated for different nozzles.
Observation and calculation-
Pi Po Pressure delta mdot Scaled F V K.E dh efficiency
ratio mdot
700 0 0 0.78 15.6 6.014162 3.412623 567.4311 160.989 307.4841 52.35687

700 100 0.142857 0.7 15.7 6.050687 3.059143 505.5861 127.8086 131.1379 97.46125

700 200 0.285714 0.61 15.7 6.050687 2.661478 439.8638 96.74008 92.51569 104.5661

700 300 0.428571 0.54 15.7 6.050687 2.352183 388.7465 75.56191 66.11235 114.2932

700 400 0.571429 0.43 15.2 5.868534 1.866148 317.9922 50.55952 45.43467 111.2796

700 500 0.714286 0.29 13.1 5.116267 1.247558 243.8414 29.72932 28.18355 105.4847

700 600 0.857143 0.11 7.9 3.342339 0.452228 135.3028 9.153429 13.24864 69.08957

700 650 0.928571 0.06 5.1 2.439563 0.231303 94.81328 4.494779 6.442135 69.77157

Above Table by impact loading calculation(for nozzle type 1)

Ti=306 K
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

T0=305.5K

Pb delta mdot calibrated F dh Theoretical Specific

mdot V thrust
0 0.835 15.4 5.941254 3.655641 306.4793 782.9166622 615.297756
100 0.75 15.4 5.941254 3.280068 130.7094 511.2912184 552.0834119
200 0.65 15.4 5.941254 2.838218 92.21335 429.4492938 477.7135953
300 0.56 15.4 5.941254 2.440553 65.8963 363.0324963 410.7807604
400 0.45 15.4 5.941254 1.954518 45.28619 300.9524541 328.9739621
500 0.25 12 4.73046 1.070818 28.09144 237.0292963 226.366569
600 0.11 7.4 3.178438 0.452228 13.20534 162.5136606 142.2799322
650 0.06 4.7 2.313591 0.231303 6.421083 113.3232781 99.97576927
Above Table by reaction force calculation (for nozzle type-1)
Ti=305K
To=305.5K

Specific thrust vs Pressure Ratio (Nozzle-1)

700
600
500
Specific Thrust

400
300
200
100
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Pressure Ratio

Fig. 4
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

Efficiency vs Pressure Ratio (Nozzle-1)

140

120

100
Efficiency (%)

80

60

40

20

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Pressure Ratio

Fig. 5

Pi Po Po/Pi delta mdot calibrated F V K.E dh efficiency

mdot
700 0 0 0.78 15.2 5.868534 3.412623 581.512 169.0781 307.4841 54.9876

700 100 0.142857 0.65 15.2 5.868534 2.838218 483.6333 116.9506 131.1379 89.18135

700 200 0.285714 0.53 15.1 5.832243 2.307998 395.7307 78.30141 92.51569 84.63582

700 300 0.428571 0.45 15.4 5.941254 1.954518 328.974 54.11193 66.11235 81.84845

700 400 0.571429 0.37 15.4 5.941254 1.601038 269.4781 36.30923 45.43467 79.91524

700 500 0.714286 0.29 15.8 6.087258 1.247558 204.9458 21.00139 28.18355 74.51651

700 600 0.857143 0.1 10.9 4.350315 0.408043 93.79619 4.398862 13.24864 33.20237

700 650 0.928571 0.07 7.8 3.309466 0.275488 83.24244 3.464652 6.442135 53.78111

Above Data for impact loading calculation(nozzle type-3)

Ti=300K
To=305.5K

.
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

Pb delta mdot calibrated F dh Theoretical Specific

mdot V thrust
0 0.88 15 5.796 3.854473 306.4793 782.9167 665.0229469
100 0.68 15.2 5.868534 2.970773 130.7094 511.2912 506.2206681
200 0.64 15.2 5.868534 2.794033 92.21335 429.4493 476.1041157
300 0.49 15.2 5.868534 2.131258 65.8963 363.0325 363.167044
400 0.4 15.2 5.868534 1.733593 45.28619 300.9525 295.404801
500 0.3 15.2 5.868534 1.291743 28.09144 237.0293 220.1134198
600 0.175 12.4 4.870098 0.739431 13.20534 162.5137 151.8307104
650 0.09 8 3.37526 0.363858 6.421083 113.3233 107.8014731
Above Table for reaction force calculation (type-3)
Ti=305K
T0=305.5K

Specific thrust vs Pressure Ratio (Nozzle-3)

700
600
500
Specific Thrust

400
300
200
100
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Pressure Ratio

Fig. 6
efficency vs Pressure Ratio (Nozzle-3)
100
90
80
70
efficency(%)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Pressure Ratio

Fig. 7
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

Pi Po Press. delta mdot Scaled F V K.E dh efficiency

ratio mdot
700 0 0 0.78 15.5 5.977685 3.412623 570.8937 162.9598 307.4841 52.9978091

700 100 0.142857 0.55 15.6 6.0141624 2.396368 398.4542 79.38286 131.13791 60.5338737

700 200 0.285714 0.52 15.6 6.0141624 2.263813 376.4137 70.84363 92.515687 76.5747211

700 300 0.428571 0.43 15.7 6.0506866 1.866148 308.4192 47.56121 66.11235 71.939971

700 400 0.571429 0.33 15.7 6.0506866 1.424298 235.3944 27.70527 45.434669 60.9782625

700 500 0.714286 0.25 15.5 5.977685 1.070818 179.1359 16.04484 28.183547 56.9297967

700 600 0.857143 0.16 13.8 5.3647296 0.673153 125.4775 7.872305 13.248641 59.419715

700 650 0.928571 0.09 9.8 3.9758336 0.363858 91.51741 4.187718 6.4421354 65.0051271

Above Table is for calculation for impact loading (nozzle type-5)

Ti=306K
To=305.5K
Pb delta mdot calibrated F dh Theoretical V Specific
mdot thrust
0 0.83 15.4 5.941254 3.633548 306.9817 783.5581344 611.5792651
100 0.73 15.4 5.941254 3.191698 130.9236 511.7101379 537.2094486
200 0.55 15.4 5.941254 2.396368 92.36452 429.8011573 403.3437787
300 0.4 15.4 5.941254 1.733593 66.00432 363.3299421 291.7890538
400 0.29 15.4 5.941254 1.247558 45.36043 301.1990354 209.9822556
500 0.23 15.3 5.904871 0.982448 28.1375 237.223503 166.3792599
600 0.14 13.4 5.22247 0.584783 13.22699 162.646814 111.974402
650 0.09 10.8 4.316038 0.363858 6.431609 113.416128 84.30371413
Table is for calculation for reaction force (nozzle – 5)
Ti=306K
To=305.5K
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

Specific thrust vs Pressure Ratio (Nozzle-5)

700
600
500
Specific Thrust

400
300
200
100
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Pressure Ratio

Fig 8

Efficiency vs Pressure Ratio (Nozzle-5)

90
80
70
60
Efficiency (%)

50
40
30
20
10
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Pressure Ratio

Fig 9
Discussion
 From the plot 5, we have observed that for a convergent nozzle, the nozzle efficiency
increase till a value of pressure ratio of about 0.45 and then decreases till pressure ratio
is 0.85 and then increases till a value of 0.93.
 Theoretically, there is no decrease in the nozzle efficiency 1st increase with pressure
ratio and then starts decreasing after critical pressure ratio reached. The differences in
plots can be due to the parallax error and calibration error.
 From plot 7 & 9, we have observed that the nozzle efficiency for convergent divergent
nozzle 3 & 5 decreases gradually until critical pressure ratio is arrived. At critical
pressure ratio due to formation of shock wave, the nozzle efficiency decrease drastically
as can be observed from the graph and once the shock moves downstream of the nozzle
at the exit, the nozzle efficiency again increases. The slight variation of the
experimental curve in comparison with the theoretical plot can be due to the error
Exp. 3 Propulsion lab Naveen Kumar 28/03/2018

involved while conducting experiment and due to the parallax error and calibration
error.
 From plot 4, 6, & 8, we have observed that specific thrust decreases with the increase
in pressure ratio. This is because, as the deflection decreases the force decreases and
since we have calculated specific thrust as force divided by the mass flow rate, and
mass flow rate being reasonably constant over some pressure ratios, the specific thrust
decreases as the force decreases.
 This method of measuring specific thrust is not entirely accurate because even though
the unit of specific thrust is same as that of velocity, specific thrust is not necessarily
the velocity of the jet, since the pressure of the fluid at the exit from the nozzle may be
different from that of the region into which it discharges and so due to the pressure
difference there may be a pressure thrust in addition to the momentum thrust.
Conclusions
 In the present experiment we have investigated the performance of a convergent nozzle
(type 1) and two convergent divergent nozzles (type-3, type-5).
 Two type of test has been conducted, 1st to measure the jet velocity and efficiency of
the nozzles and 2nd to measure the specific thrust produced by the nozzles.
 The maximum mass flow rate observed among all the tests for the same
Pressure ratio is 6.087 gm/s.
 The critical pressure ratios for the CD nozzles have been observed from the graphs
plotted for each case.

References
 P.A. Hilton Nozzle performance test unit laboratory manual.