THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN

CAIRO

School of Sciences and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Department

MENG 3602-84: Applied Fluid Mechanics

Lab

Dr. Omar Huzayin

Eng. Shehaby

Lab Report # 5
Nozzle Pressure Distribution Unit
Due:
Wednesday, 3th December 2014
Submitted by:
Ahmed Sabah
Farah Sarhan

Abstract
In this experiment, we aim to study the behavior of pressurized air passing
through De Laval nozzle. We will use the Hilton nozzle pressure distribution unit
(F810) to investigate this behavior. A brief introduction about De Laval nozzle and the
apparatus will be given. Then, we will explain how the machine works and the
detailed procedures to follow. Also calculations and results that clarify more the
behavior of the nozzle will be provided. At the end, we will conclude what we did in
the experiment and our main purpose.

Table of Contents
List of Figures.....................................................................................3
Introduction.......................................................................................4
Nomenclature....................................................................................5
Theory................................................................................................6
Objectives..........................................................................................9
Apparatus........................................................................................10
Nozzle geometry:..........................................................................12
Procedures.......................................................................................13
Results.............................................................................................14
Discussion and Conclusion...............................................................17
References.......................................................................................19

List of Figures
FIGURE
FIGURE
FIGURE
FIGURE
FIGURE

1
2
3
4
5

PRESSURE AGAINST DE LAVAL NOZZLE SHAPE.....................................7

NOZZLE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION UNIT.............................................11
NOZZLE GEOMETRY............................................................................12
PRESSURE RATIO WITH LENGTH OF NOZZLE.......................................16
MACH NUMBER WITH LENGTH OF NOZZLE..........................................16

Introduction
The Hilton nozzle pressure distribution unit made by P.A. Hilton has been
designed for educational reasons. It can be used in conducting a large number of
experiments. But it has been specifically designed to demonstrate the phenomena
associated to fluxes through nozzles and to allow the students or researchers to
investigate the pressure distribution through the different types of nozzles. Also, it
allows the investigation of the mass flow rate in convergent-divergent and convergent
nozzles.
The main problem that the Hilton nozzle pressure distribution unit has
overcame was that all the experimental equipment

used before for the same

demonstration used steam instead of air. The use of steam required a heavy demand of
energy to be fired a while before the test is to start and also the presence of a
condenser with a cooling water supply. This new unit used compressed air at a
pressure and mass flow rate that can be provided from the type of compressor that is
usually available in workshops and laboratories.
Nozzles are vital components in many things like turbines, jet engines,
rockets, ejectors, etc. the behavior of the nozzles in these machines have a remarkable
effect on the effectiveness and efficiency of the machine. In this experiment we are
interested in studying the behavior of De Laval nozzle (the pressure distribution
across it).
Swedish inventor Gustaf de Laval invented De Laval nozzle, for use on a
steam turbine. The nozzle is designed in a way that when a pressurized gas pass
through the pinched area, it accelerates its speed to reach supersonic speed and when
it expands, the heat energy transforms into kinetic energy. This specification made it
widely used in many machines like steam turbine, rocket engine nozzles and others.

Nomenclature
Name
Mach Number
Velocity
Velocity of sound
Diameter
Radius
Pressure
Temperature

Symbol
Ma
v
c
D
R
P
T

Units
m/s
m/s
m
m
Pa
K

Theory
The flow in a pipe is characterized by the Mach number, which is evaluated using:
Ma=

v
c

where v is the velocity of the flow and c is the speed of the sound at the flows
temperature and pressure.
The Mach number divides flow types into 3 categories:

Subsonic where Ma<1

Sonic where Ma=1 and,
Supersonic where Ma>1
The relation between the area and the flow velocity from in subsonic differs from
supersonic and is governed by the following relation:
dv
dA
=( Ma 21)
v
A
where A is the area of the cross section.
This relationship tells us that for subsonic flow, decreasing the area will increase the
velocity but for supersonic flow, increasing the area will increase the velocity. In
addition, we know that for a throat, the maximum Ma is 1.
In the De Laval nozzle, the flow enters as subsonic flow, and then accelerates. If the
reservoir pressure is enough (compared to the exit pressure) is sufficient, the flow will
reach Ma=1 at the throat. If, however, the pressure is not enough, the flow continues
subsonic.
After the flow is chocked at the throat, there are several possible scenarios.
1. Isentropic: The flow continues with subsonic velocity till the exit. (Line B)
2. Non-Isentropic: The flow continues with supersonic velocity till the exit. (Line D)
3. Isentropic: The flow continues supersonic, experiences a normal shock wave and
continues subsonic. (Line C)

Figure 1 - Pressure against De Laval Nozzle shape

For Isentropic flow:

The total pressure can be calculated from the pressure at a point using its Mach
number as follows:
k
k1
2 k1
Pt =P (1+
Ma )
2

where k=1.4 for air.

The total temperature can also be calculated from the temperature at a using its Mach
number as follows:
T t =T (1+

k1
Ma 2)
2

The Mach number at a point can be calculated from the area to area of throat ratio.
The equations yields two answers, the answer is selected as relevant to flow (subsonic
or supersonic). This equation cant be used across shockwaves i.e.

A=

1
(
Ma

1+

k+1
k 1
Ma 2 2(k1)
2
)
k +1
2
A

( )

For non-isentropic flow, we can calculate the Mach number after the shockwave (2)
using the Mach number before the shockwave (1):
Ma22=

( k 1 ) Ma 12 +2
2 k Ma12(k 1)

Objectives

This experiment aims at studying flow behaviors in a De Laval nozzle. It shows

that the Mach number, along with other properties, is affected by the conditions at the
nozzle exit (e.g. back pressure).
1. The study and investigation of flow in a Laval nozzle
2. Plotting the derived Mach number against nozzle length
3. Plotting the ratio (Pressure/Total Pressure) against nozzle length
4. Plotting the ratio (Pressure/Total Pressure) against the mass flow rate
5. Observation of the effect that the changing of back pressure has on pressure
and Mach number distributions

Apparatus
In order to study flow behaviors in Laval nozzles, we will use a nozzle
distribution unit. This unit will help us understand the effect of the nozzle conditions:
the exit and backpressure, will affect the flow behavior and Mach number.
The apparatus consists of a nozzle, De Laval, which has air flowing inside at
different flow rates which will change the exit pressure and consequently the behavior
of the flow. Eight pressure meters are there to measure pressure in eight different
sections of the nozzle. Two thermometers are there to measure the total temperature
before and after the nozzle. To measure the flow rate, there is an air flow meter.
Finally, we will have two valves which will control the back pressure hence the flow
rate.

10

1
54
2
6
7

Figure 2 - Nozzle Pressure distribution unit

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Sections pressure meters from P1 to P8.

Air inlet pressure.
Thermometers.
Inlet control valve.
Air flow meter.
Air outlet pressure.
Nozzle.
Outlet control valve.

11

Nozzle geometry:

Figure 3 - Nozzle Geometry

Section
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Diameter (mm)
2.4
2
2.13
2.26
2.39
2.52
2.66
2.79
Table 1 - Nozzle Diameters

Procedures
In order to start the experiment, we will need first to have a
pressurized reservoir to provide us with the air flow then do the
following:
1. Fix the inlet pressure.
12

2. Change the back-pressure (0, 200, 400, 550 and 650 KPa)
using the outlet control valve.
3. For each back-pressure get values for pressure in the 8
sections of the nozzle, get readings for the flow rate of the
fluid as well as temperatures before and after the nozzle.
4. Plot the derived Mach number against nozzle length.
5.

Plot the ratio (Pressure/Total Pressure) against nozzle

length.

6. Plot the ratio (Pressure/Total Pressure) against the mass

flow rate.

13

Results
Pb=0

Pb=200

Pb=400

Pb=550

Pb=600

section

620

620

610

660

700

400

400

400

540

700

240

240

370

540

700

180

180

330

600

700

120

160

440

603

690

110

240

480

630

720

90

240

480

620

700

100

260

510

640

720

Pb=200
KPa
P/Pt (200)
0.88571428
6
0.57142857
1
0.34285714
3
0.25714285
7
0.22857142
9
0.34285714
3
0.34285714
3
0.37142857
1

Pb=400
KPa
P/Pt (400)
0.87142857
1
0.57142857
1
0.52857142
9
0.47142857
1
0.62857142
9
0.68571428
6
0.68571428
6
0.72857142
9

Pb=550
KPa
P/Pt (550)
0.94285714
3
0.77142857
1
0.77142857
1
0.85714285
7
0.86142857
1

Pb=600
KPa
P/Pt (600)

Pb=200
KPa
M (200)
0.42001607
8
0.93108016
9
1.33747073
7
1.53961324
8
1.61946310

Pb=400
KPa
M (400)

Pb=550
KPa
M (550)
0.29115014
3
0.62033898
4
0.62033898
4
0.47448574
2
0.46657918

Pb=0 KPa
Section
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

P/Pt (0)
0.88571428
6
0.57142857
1
0.34285714
3
0.25714285
7
0.17142857
1
0.15714285
7
0.12857142
9
0.14285714
3

Pb=0 KPa
Section
1
2
3
4
5

M (0)
0.42001607
8
0.93108016
9
1.33747073
7
1.53961324
8
1.80988231

0.44779277
0.93108016
9
0.99953011
1.09471554
1
0.84220029

0.9
0.88571428
6
0.91428571
4

1
1
1
1
0.98571428
6
1.02857142
9
1
1.02857142
9

Pb=600
KPa
M (600)
0
0
0
0
0.14351881

14

6
7
8

5
1.86654471
6
1.99615358
9
1.92826221
5

8
1.33747073
7
1.33747073
7
1.27880169
2

2
0.75439751
5
0.75439751
5
0.68810015
1

0.39090076

0.42001607
8
0.36009761
3

0
0

A/A*
1

720

720

710

760

800

500

500

500

640

800

340

340

470

640

800

280

280

430

700

800

220

260

540

703

790

210

340

580

730

820

190

340

580

720

800

200

360

610

740

820

15

Mach VS nozzle length

1.8
1.6
1.4

1.2

200

400

Mach number 0.8

550

0.6

600

0.4
0.2
0
0

nozzle length

Figure 4 Mach number with Length of Nozzle

pressure ratio VS nozzle length

1.2
1
0

0.8
pressure ratio

200

0.6

400
550

0.4

600

0.2
0
0

nozzle length

Figure 5 Pressure ratio with length of nozzle

16

Discussion and Conclusion

Increasing the backpressure decreases the mass flow rate. As the mass flow rate
increases, the velocity increases. By applying the energy conservation, when the
velocity increases, the pressure of the flow decreases. When the backpressure reached
400kPa, further increase in the backpressure didnt increase the mass flow rate and the
throat was chocked with Mach number equal to 1. Each flow (relative to
backpressure) exhibits different pressure behavior.
1. Backpressure of 650kPa:
*The flow was subsonic all through the nozzle since the backpressure was not
enough to provide for a larger mass flow rate with larger velocity.
*Measurements for this flow were incorrect, the absolute pressure at all points
was larger than the total pressure, yielding a ratio more than one and
consequently the Mach number wasnt calculated.
2. Backpressure of 550kPa:
*Similar analysis to previously explained one.
*Measurements of flow were reasonable and the Mach number varied changed
from 0.2 at entrance, increased, as area decreased, to 0.7 at throat and
decreases again to 0.3 with increase in area.
3. Backpressure of 400kPa:
*The flow was chocked at the throat and continued as supersonic flow.
*A normal shockwave occurred between sections 3 and 4.
*The flow continued as a subsonic flow.
*The maximum Mach number reached was 1.4338.
4. Backpressure of 200kPa:
*Similar analysis to the previous one.
*A normal shockwave occurred between sections 5 and 6.
*The maximum Mach number reached was 1.79.
5. Backpressure of 0kPa:
*The flow was supersonic through the nozzle.
*The Mach number reached its maximum at the exit, 2.17.
As the backpressure decreases, more air is pushed from the high-pressure
reservoir to the low-pressure exit. The increasing mass flow rate means increasing
velocity, which in accordance to the energy equation, decreases the local pressure to
keep the total energy/pressure constant. Beyond a certain limit of backpressure to
reservoir pressure difference, the mass flow rate cant increase, since the throat cant
accommodate for more mass passing per unit time. At this condition, the Mach
number at the throat is 1. As this seizes to happen, the flow continues subsonic since
17

not enough energy is available for higher velocities. As the backpressure continues to
decrease, thus allowing for more mass flow rate, the flow tries to continue supersonic
but experiences shockwaves that decrease the pressure and force the flow back into
subsonic state. When the backpressure is low enough, the flow passes through the
whole nozzle with supersonic velocity.

18

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Laval_nozzle
http://fichas.prodel.es/mecanica%20de%20fluidos
%20hidraulica/F810.pdf
http://www.edibon.com/products/catalogues/en/units/thermodynamicsth
ermotechnics/nozzlessteam/TPT.pdf

19