COMPRESSIBLE FLOW

Compressible flow is defined as that flow in which the

density of the fluid does not remain constant during
flow. Many important applications of fluid dynamics
such as flow of gases through orifices and nozzles, flow
of gases in machines such as compressors require that
density variations be taken into account. The change in
density of a fluid is accompanied by the changes in
pressure and temperature and hence the thermodynamic
behaviour of the fluids has to be taken into account. For
incompressible flow the basic parameter is the Reynolds
number, a parameter also important in some
applications of compressible flow. In compressible
flow at ordinary densities and high velocities a more
basic parameter is the Mach number.
 The Mach number denoted by NMa or M, is
defined as the ratio of u, the speed of the fluid to
c, the speed of sound in the fluid under same
conditions of flow

Mach number is also defined as the square root of the

ratio of the inertia force of the flowing fluid to the
elastic force.

Mach number,
 2
v v
M  
K K
 

because
K
c

For the compressible fluid flow, Mach number
is an important non-dimensional parameter.
On the basis of Mach number, the flow is
defined as
•Sub-sonic flow
•Sonic flow
•Super-sonic flow
A flow is said to be sub-sonic flow if the Mach number
is less than 1, which means the velocity of flow is less
than the velocity of sound wave.
A flow is said to be sonic flow if the Mach number is
equal to 1. This means that the velocity of flow u is
equal to the velocity of sound c.
A flow is said to be supersonic flow if the Mach
number is greater than 1. This means that the velocity
of the fluid is greater than the velocity of sound wave.
Velocity of sound or pressure wave in fluid
The disturbance in a solid, liquid or gas is
transmitted from one point to the other. The velocity
with which the disturbance is transmitted depends
upon the distance between the molecules of the
medium. In case4s of solids, molecules are closely
packed, thus the transmission is instantaneous. In
fluids essential in gases, the molecules are at a
considerable distance. Therefore the molecules
have to move a distance to transmit the
disturbance. Thus the velocity of disturbance in
case of fluids will be less than the velocity of the
disturbances in solids.
These disturbances in the fluid create pressure
waves, which travel with a velocity of sound
waves in all directions. But for sake of simplicity,
one-dimensional case will be compared.

The distance between the molecules is related

with the density, which in turn depends upon
pressure in case of fluid. Hence the velocity of
disturbance depends upon the change of pressure
and density of the fluid. It can be given as
1. Find the sonic velocity for the
following fluids:
•Crude oil of specific gravity 0.8 and
bulk modulus 153036N/cm2.
•Mercury having a bulk modulus of
2648700 N/cm2.
Solution: Given :
(i) for crude oil, specific gravity = 0.8
Density, =0.8*1000=800kg/m3.
Bulk modulus, K = 153036N/cm2 =
153036*104N/cm2
For sonic velocity, we have
 =1383.09m/s

(ii) for Mercury, specific gravity = 13.6

Density, =13.6*1000=13600kg/m3.
Bulk modulus, K = 2648700N/cm2 = 2648700*104N/cm2
For sonic velocity, we have

1395.55m/s
Basic equations of Compressible flow
Basic Assumptions
The basic equations of compressible flow are
determined on the basis of following assumptions.
•The fluid is an ideal gas of constant specific heat.
•The flow is steady.
•The flow is one dimensional
•Gravitational effects are negligible and so is
mechanical potential energy.
•Friction is restricted to wall shear.
•No velocity gradient exists in a given cross section
of flow.
•Shaft work is nil.
 Continuity Equation
This is based on law of conservation of
mass i.e., mass can neither be created
or can be destroyed. That is mass is
constant.
For one dimensional steady flow,
The mass flow rate

m  AV
where  - density of the fluid in kg/m3
A – cross sectional area of flow, m2
 V – velocity of flow, m/s
According to continuity equation
AV = constant
Differentiating the above equation, we get
AdV + VdA + AVd = 0
dividing by AV, we have

This is called equation of continuity in

differential form.
 Bernoulli’s energy equation for compressible
flow.
Since density is not constant for compressible
flow, so the value of

is to be determined on the basis of nature of flow, ie

whether the flow is isothermal or aidabatic or polytropic.
Case (i) for isothermal process
From Ideal gas law,
Pv=RT, where
P – absolute pressure of the gas, N/m 2
v – specific volume of the gas, m3/kg (1/)
 - density of the gas, kg/m3
R – gas constant
T – absolute temperature
 

Since R & T are constant for Isothermal process


 

Substituting equation 3 in be equation

The above equation is the Bernoulli’s equation
for compressible flow undergoing isothermal
process. It can also be written as
Case (i) for adiabatic process
The relation between pressure (P) and
density() is given by the equation




Substituting equation 4 in equation 2

or
The above equation is the Bernoulli’s equation for
compressible flow undergoing adiabatic process.

Velocity of Sound in terms of Bulk Modulus

Bulk modulus is defined as
 dP
k
 v
 dv
 (1)

where dv is the decrease in volume

and v is the original volume
Negative sign is taken because with increase in
pressure, the volume decreases.
We know that mass is constant
 m = v = constant
differentiating the above equation
dv + vd = 0
 dv = -vd
substituting equation 2 in equation 1
But we know that

dP k
C  2

d 
where k – bulk modulus
 - density
C – velocity of sound.
Velocity of Sound for isothermal process
For isothermal process, the relation between
pressure and density is given by
P-1 = constant
Differentiating the above equation
P (-1)-2d + -1dP = 0
Dividing through out by -1, we get
-P-1d + dP = 0
 but we know from ideal gas law


Substituting the above in equation 3, we get

 Velocity of Sound for adiabatic process
For adiabatic process, the relation between
pressure(P) and density () is given by

 P -k = constant
Differentiating the above equation, we get
P (-K) -K-1 d + -K dP = 0
Dividing through out by -K, we get
-K P -1 d + dp = 0 
 because

substituting in equation 3 we get

 Find the speed of the sound wave in air at sea-level
where the pressure and temperature are 10.143N/cm 2
(abs.) and 15oC respectively. Take R = 287 J/kgK and k
=1.4
Solution: Given :
Pressure, P = 10.143 N/cm2 = 10.143*104 N/m2
Temperature, t= 15oC, 273+15 = 288 K
For adiabatic process, the velocity of sound is given by
the equation

=340.17m/s
An aeroplane is flying at an height of 15km where
the temperature is –50oC. The speed of the plane
is corresponding to M = 2.0. Assuming k=1.4 and R
= 287J/kgK. Find the speed of the plane.

Solution; Given:
Height of the plane, z=15km = 15000m
Temperature, T = -50+273=223K
Mach number, M = 2.0
The velocity of sound is

C  kRT  1.4 * 287 * 223

=299.33m/s
 we have

Þv = M*C=2.0*299.33 = 598.66 m/s

v=( 598.66*60*60) / 1000 = 2155.17km/hour

 Area, velocity relationship for compressible flow

For compressible fluid, the continuity

equation is given by
Av = constant (1)
From this relation it is very clear that with
the change of area both the velocity and
density are affected.
So differentiating the above equation gives,
d(Av) + Avd = 0
(Adv + v dA) + Avd = 0
Adv + vdA + Avd =0
Dividing through out by Av
The Euler’s equation for compressible fluid is
given by the equation

Neglecting the z term the above equation can be

written as
But velocity of sound wave equation is given as

, substituting the value of

in the equation (2)


EQUATION 3
 The above equation (3) gives the relationship
between change of area with change of
velocity for different Mach numbers
The following are the important conclusions.
i. For M<1, the flow is subsonic and the right
hand side of the equation (3) is negative as
(M2-1) is negative for the values of M<1.
Hence

This means that with increase of area, the

velocity decreases and vice versa.
ii. For M>1, the flow is supersonic. The value of
(M2-1) will be positive and hence right hand side
of equation (3) will be positive. Hence

This means that with the increase of area,

velocity also increases.
iii. For M=1, the flow is called sonic flow. The
value of (M2-1) is zero. Hence right hand side of
equation (3) will be zero. Hence

This means area is constant.

If M <0.3 the change in density is < 5% hence incompressible
 Flow of Compressible fluid through orifices and Nozzles

For Nozzle dV>0 If M>1 dA>0

If M<1,
dA<1
P1, T1, 1
For diffuser vice versa
and v1=0
2

1 P2, T2, 2, v2=?

• Consider a compressible fluid filled in a large
reservoir to which a short nozzle is fitted as
shown in figure.
• If the pressure drop of the compressible fluid
flowing through the nozzle from the reservoir
is small, the process is considered as
isothermal.
• But if the pressure drop is large the process is
considered to be adiabatic.
• Consider the two point 1 and 2 inside the tank
and the exit of the nozzle respectively.
Let v1 – velocity of the fluid in the tank (negligible)
P1 – Pressure of fluid at point 1
1 – Density of fluid at point 1
T1 – Temperature of fluid at point 1.
Similarly v2, P2, 2 and T2 are the velocity, pressure, density
and temperature of the fluid flowing at point 2.
Considering the process to be adiabatic,
Bernoulli's equation can be given as
 But z1 = z2 and also v1 = 0


But for adiabatic flow, we have


Substituting the value of

  K 1

 2 K  P1   P2   K
v2    1    
 K  1  1   P1  
 
 Let
,Then the above equation becomes

The mass flow rate of the compressible fluid is given as

= 2v2A2
where A2 – area of the exit of nozzle.
=

But
Mass flow rate of compressible fluid through Venturimeter
Consider a compressible fluid flowing through the
horizontal venturimeter.
Let the conditions of flow is represented by suffix 1 at the
inlet of venturimeter and by suffix 2 at the throat of the
venturimeter.
Considering the flow to be adiabatic, we have

But z1 = z2
But for adiabatic flow,
substituting in the above equation
 Applying continuity equation between sections 1 and 2
1A1v1 = 2A2v2

substituting the value of v1 in the above equation

But for adiabatic flow
 mass flow rate through ventruimeter
Find the velocity of air flowing at the outlet of a nozzle fitted to
a large vessel which contains air at a pressure of 294.3 N/cm2
and at a temperature of 20oC. The pressure at the outlet of the
nozzle is 206 N/cm2 . Take k= 1.4 and R = 287J/kgK.

Given Data:
Pressure inside the vessel, P1 =294.3N/cm2 = 294.3*104N/m2
Temperature inside the vessel T1 =20+273 =293K
Pressure at the nozzle, P2= 206N/cm2 = 206*104N/m2

velocity is
v2 = 239.2m/s
A tank contains air at a temperature of 30oC. Air flows from the
tank into atmosphere through a convergent nozzle. The
diameter at the outlet of nozzle is 2.5cm. Assuming adiabatic
flow, find the mass rate of flow of air through the nozzle when
the pressure of air in tank is (i) 3.924 N/cm2 (gauge). (ii)
33.354N/cm2 (gauge). Take k=1.4, R=287J/kgK and
atmospheric pressure = 10.104N/cm2(abs).

Temperature in tank, T1 =30+273=303K

Diameter at the nozzle, D2=2.5cm = 0.025m.

 Area, A2 =
Mass rate of flow of air when pressure in tank is 3.924N/cm2 (gauge).

P1=3.924N/cm2(gauge) =3.924+10.104=14.028N/cm2(abs.)

P1 = 14.028*104 N/m2
atmospheric pressure = 10.104N/cm2(abs)
P2=.10.104*104 N/m2

Find

=233.281m/s
 = 2v2A2

Find
P1
 1
RT1

ρ2=1.273kg/m3
Find the mass rate of flow of air through a
venturimeter having inlet diameter as 40cm and
throat diameter 20cm. The pressure at the inlet of
the venturimeter is 27.468N/cm2(abs.) and
temperature of air at inlet 20oC. The pressure at
the throat is given as 25.506 N/cm2 absolute.
Take R=287J/kgK and k = 1.4.
Air enters a convergent divergent nozzle at
a temperature of 535oC and a pressure of
20 atm. The throat area is half of that of
the discharge of the divergent section. For
a Mach number of 0.8 find the pressure,
temperature, linear velocity, density and
mass velocity at the throat.