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Compressible Flow

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Angela Vilog
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5 views

Compressible Flow

Uploaded by

Angela Vilog
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMPRESSIBLE

FLOW
COMPRESSIBLE FLOW
refers to the study of fluid flow where
the fluid density changes significantly
within the flow field. This behavior
becomes important when dealing with
gases moving at high speeds, typically
at Mach numbers greater than 0.3. The
effects of compressibility influence
Speed of Sound in Fluids
The speed of sound (a) in a fluid is the rate at
which pressure disturbances travel through the
medium. It depends on the medium's properties
and is given by:

a=√Kρ
Where:
• K: Bulk modulus of elasticity (Pa)
• ρ: Density of the liquid (kg/m³)
Mach Number
The Mach number (M) is the ratio of the flow
velocity to the speed of sound in the medium:

M= v​/a
Mach number characterizes flow regimes:
• Subsonic (M < 1): Speed is less than the speed of sound;
compressibility effects are minimal.
• Transonic (M ≈ 1): A mix of subsonic and supersonic
regions; compressibility effects are significant.
• Supersonic (1 < M < 5): Flow speed exceeds the speed of
sound; compressibility effects dominate.
• Hypersonic (M > 5): Extreme speeds with high-
temperature effects (e.g., dissociation of gases).
Shock Waves
Shock waves are
sudden, nearly
discontinuous changes
in flow properties
(pressure, temperature,
Normal Shock Wave
Occurs when the shock is
perpendicular to the flow
direction. Properties before and
after the shock are related by:
Continuity
Momentum
Energy
EFFECTS:

• Downstream Mach
number (M2​) is always
subsonic (M2<1).
• Pressure, temperature,
and density increase
Oblique Shock Wave

Forms when the shock is


at an angle to the flow,
often encountered in
supersonic flow over
wedges or cones.
Expansion Waves
Expansion waves are smooth,
gradual changes in flow properties
that occur when a supersonic flow
expands around a corner. Unlike
shock waves, expansion waves:
• Cause the pressure, density,
and temperature to decrease.
Prandtl-Meyer Expansion Fans
This model describes the behavior
of gases undergoing isentropic
expansion around a corner. The
turning angle (θ\thetaθ) and Mach
number are related by the
Prandtl-Meyer function:
Key Differences Between Shock
and Expansion Waves:
PROPERTY SHOCK WAVE EXPANSION WAVE

Flow Behavior Sudden and discontinuous Gradual and continuous

Pressure, Density Increase across the wave Decrease across the wave

Mach Number Decreases across the wave Increases across the wave

Entropy Increases (non-isentropic) Remains constant (isentropic)


Applications:
• Shock Waves: Found in
supersonic aircraft, rocket
nozzles, and explosions.
• Expansion Waves: Common
in supersonic nozzles and
over-expanding flows.

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