Propulsion Systems (MANE-4080)

Spring 2023; Mon. & Thu. 10:00 – 11:20 am; CII-3039

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Instructor: Prof. Amir H. Hirsa; 5036 JEC; Tel.: 518 276-6997; email: [email protected];
Office Hours: Tues. & Thur. 5-6 pm (office and WebEx) Other times by appointment
https://rensselaer.webex.com/meet/hirsaa
TA: Mr. Tyler Mucci; Office Hours: Wed. 5-7 PM, [email protected]
Text*: No required text. Highly recommended text: Mattingly, J.D., Elements of Gas Turbine Propulsion,
McGraw-Hill 1996 (a comprehensive text on jet engines used in aircraft applications)
* Only “hard copies” of the text will be permitted during exams and quizzes. The use of electronic textbooks
will not be allowed.
References: For other references, see next page
Prerequisite: MANE-2710 Thermodynamics and MANE-2720 Fluid Mechanics

Course Description:
Fundamental concepts from thermodynamics, mechanics, and fluid dynamics will be used to predict the general
performance characteristics of propulsion systems used in aircraft and spacecraft. Topics:
1) Basics a) Simple mechanics, force balance and equations of motion for (fixed-wing) aircraft. b) Review of
aerodynamics. c) Momentum theorem and its application to jet engines and rockets. d) Definitions of
efficiencies related to propulsion. e) Performance parameters. f) Energy balance equation.
2) Propellers a) Actuator-Disk Theory of propellers, b) Momentum-Blade Element Theory.
3) Compressible Flow a) Review of thermodynamics, b) Stagnation properties, c) 1-D compressible flow, d)
Quasi-1-D flow in nozzles and diffusers, e) 1-D flow with heat addition, f) 2-D shock and expansion waves,
g) Application to supersonic inlets.
4) Gas Turbines a) Brayton cycle analysis. b) Ideal cycle analysis: Ramjet, Turbojet, Turbojet with
afterburner, and Turbofan, c) Nonrotating systems, d) Compressors and fans, e) Turbines, f) Non-ideal cycle
analysis: Twin-spool turbofan.
5) Combustion a) Role of combustion in aircraft propulsion, b) Fundamentals of combustion.
6) Rocket Science Fundamentals of rocket engines and their performance.

Grading: Exam I (Thur. Feb. 16; covers through material on Feb. 9) 25%
Exam II (Mon. Apr. 6; covers through material on Mar. 30) 25%
Homework 10%
Quizzes (3 random Mondays, on previous week’s homework; 5% each) 15%
Final Exam (comprehensive, during final exam week) 25%
 Reading, Homework Assignment, and Exam schedule for the semester
Monday Thursday
Week [1] (Jan. 9) Nothing is due! (Jan. 12) Please read Chap. 1 of the text

[2] (Jan. 16) No classes (MLK Day); read 2.1 – 2.3 (always inclusive) (Jan. 19) read 2.4

[3] (Jan. 23) read 3.1 – 3.4 (Jan. 26) HW 1 due; read 3.5 (skip 3.6)

[4] (Jan. 30) possible quiz; read 3.7, 4.1 (Feb. 2) HW 2 due; read 5.1 – 5.3 up to p.160

[5] (Feb. 6) possible quiz; read 5.4 (Feb. 9) HW 3 due; read 5.5

[6] (Feb. 13) read 5.6 (Feb. 16) Exam-I (open book)*

[7] (Feb. 21) Tuesday meeting; read 5.7 (Feb. 23) read 6.1, 6.2

[8] (Feb. 27) read 6.3 (Mar. 2) HW 4 due; read 6.4, 6.5

(Mar. 6) Spring Break 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 (Mar. 9) Spring Break

[9] (Mar. 13) possible quiz; read 6.6, 6.7 (Mar. 16) HW 5 due; read 7.1 – 7.3

[10] (Mar. 20) possible quiz; read 7.4, 7.5 (skip 7.6) (Mar. 23) HW 6 due; read 7.7, 7.8

[11] (Mar. 27) possible quiz; read 7.9, 7.10 (Mar. 30) HW 7 due; read 8.1 – 8.3

[12] (Apr. 3) read 8.5, 8.7 (skip 8.6) (Apr. 6) Exam-II (open book)*

[13] (Apr. 10) read 9.1 – 9.3 (Apr. 13) read 9.4 – 9.6

[14] (Apr. 17) read 10.1, 10.4 (Apr. 20) HW 8 due; read 11.1 – 11.3

[15] (Apr. 24) possible quiz

References
Kerrebrock, J.L., Aircraft Engines and Gas Turbines 2nd Edition, MIT Press 1992. (an excellent general reference on
fundamental aspects of propulsion)
Oates, G.C., Aerothermodynamics of Gas Turbine and Rocket propulsion 3 rd Ed., AIAA Press 1988. (good reference for
gas turbine and rocket propulsion)
Cohen, Rogers & Saravanamuttoo, Gas Turbine Theory 1987. (classical reference on gas turbines, not only for aircraft
applications)
McCormick, Aerodynamics, Aeronautics and Flight Mechanics 2nd Ed., 1995. (excellent reference for propeller theory
plus other topics related to aircraft aerodynamics)
Anderson, Modern Compressible Flow 1982 (excellent reference for intermediate compressible flow)
Liepmann & Roshko, Elements of Gasdynamics 1957 (excellent reference for advanced compressible flow)
Homework: Homework problems must be handed in at the beginning of class on the dates given in
the syllabus. (Homework will not be accepted late under any circumstances). You are
encouraged to collaborate with other students on homework, but each student is expected
to submit their own homework. Homework will be graded on a “good effort” basis rather
than on correctness of solution.

Attendance: Each student is responsible for all material presented and all announcements made in
class. In-class quizzes and exams will be given periodically. Students absent on the day
of a quiz or exam will receive a score of zero, unless they have been pre-excused due
to a legitimate, documented conflict. Quizzes will be open textbook and most quizzes
will require the use of a calculator. Each student is responsible for bringing a calculator
and textbook to every class.

Exams: Two mid-semester exams (open textbook, instructor – supplied course equation sheet) are
scheduled on the syllabus. No make-up exams will be given for mid-semester exams. If
you need to miss the final exam you should make arrangements in advance. A written
excuse from a physician, athletic coach, or the Dean of Students Office is required.

Final Exam: There will be a three-hour cumulative final exam. Final exams are scheduled May 1-5,
2023. You should make no travel plans until your final exam schedule is
established.

Grading: Given the difficulty of the class, there may be some deviation from the standard grade breaks
after all of the grades have been assembled.

If you detect an error in the grading of your exam, you must submit a written explanation
and request to the TA within one week of the day the exam is returned to you.

Academic These statements are intended to cover most, but not all, forms of academic dishonesty. (You
Honesty: should refer to The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities for detailed
information on Institute policy in this regard.)

Homework: Collaboration among the students in the class is permitted and, in fact,
encouraged, as described above. Seeking help from other sources is also encouraged.
However, the work you submit should be your own. Evidence of your merely copying
another student’s homework will be considered academic dishonesty and will result in a zero
grade for homework for the semester for all parties involved.

Quizzes and Exams: Collaboration during a quiz or an exam (exchanging verbal or written
information or copying) is, of course, prohibited. In addition, use of email or the internet
during exams for any purpose is strictly prohibited. Materials that are allowed for the quizzes
and exams are the course textbook, the instructor – supplied course equation sheets, a
calculator, and a writing utensil. The use of any other material is prohibited. All parties
involved will receive an F in the course.

Mobile Devices: All mobile devices (cell/smart phones, computers, pagers, etc.) must be
stored securely away during lecture and are not be used unless specifically directed otherwise
by the instructor. Use of (or ANY interaction with) a mobile device during an exam without
explicit permission of the instructor will be interpreted as the illicit transfer of exam data, will
be considered an act of cheating and will be treated as such.