AE 303 Aerospace Propulsion

Tutorial Problems

1. A pistoncylinder device initially contains steam at 200 kPa, 200◦ C, and 0.5 m3 .
At this state, a linear spring (F ∝ x) is touching the piston but exerts no force
on it. Work is being done on the steam by a rotor, causing the pressure and the
volume to gradually rise to 500 kPa and 0.6 m3 , respectively. Determine (a) the
final temperature, (b) the work done by the steam, and (c) the work done by the
rotor. Answers: (a) 1132◦ C, (b) 35 kJ, (c) 808 kJ

2. A hair dryer is basically a duct in which a few layers of electric resistors are
placed. A small fan pulls the air in and forces it through the resistors where it
is heated. Air enters a 1200 W hair dryer at 100 kPa and 22◦ C and leaves at
47◦ C. The cross-sectional area of the hair dryer at the exit is 60 cm2 . Neglecting
the power consumed by the fan and the heat losses through the walls of the hair
dryer, determine (a) the volume flow rate of air at the inlet and (b) the velocity
of the air at the exit. Answers: (a) 0.0404 m3 /s, (b) 7.31 m/s

3. Prove
R
that the work done in a generic steady-reversible flow process process is
vdp, v being the specific volume. Using this comment on the work required to

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 compress air from pressure P1 to P2 , through the three different processes shown
in the figure.

4. An ideal Brayton cycle is operating with a compression ratio of 20 and a turbine

inlet temperature of 2000K. Find the thermal efficiency of the cycle and compare
it with the efficiency of a Carnot engine working between the same temperature
limits. Keeping the turbine inlet temperature fixed at 2000K, what is the max-
imum efficiency possible for a Brayton cycle and what is the pressure ratio at
which the maximum efficiency is obtained?

5. A simple turbojet with a compressor pressure ratio of 8 and a turbine inlet tem-
perature of 1200K, has a mass flow rate of 15 kg/sec when flying at a speed of 260
m/sec at 7 km altitude. Assuming the following component efficiencies, calculate,
the area of nozzle, thrust produced and SFC
(i) Compressor and turbine isentropic efficiency - 0.87
(ii) Inlet and nozzle isentropic efficiency - 0.95
(iii) Combustor pressure loss - 6% of the delivery pressure
(iv) Combustion efficiency - 0.97

6. A rocket motor with a combustion chamber pressure of 10 bar is operating at sea

level. If the nozzle used has a throat diameter of 10 mm and an area ratio 0f 1.5
calculate the thrust produced. Also find the percentage change in thrust when
the area ratio is increased to 2.5, keeping other parameters constant. Comment
on your answer

7. Calculate the adiabatic decomposition temperature of benzene at a pressure of

20 bar. Assume benzene enters at 298 K and decomposes into carbon, hydrogen
and methane.

8. A turboprop works on a Brayton cycle with a pressure ratio of 20 and a turbine

inlet temperature of 2000K and ingests a mass flow of 10 kg/sec. If the propeller

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 used has a propulsive efficiency of 80%, calculate the thrust produced by the
engine at V∞ =100m/sec.

9. Devise an experiment to determine the wake velocities (translational and swirl

components)of a propeller.

References

1. Thermodynamics: An engineering approach, Cengel et.al

2. Gas Turbine theory, Cohen et.al

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