Propeller Efficiency

Propellers are used in two types of aeroengines: piston and turboprop. In both cases, shaft
power is converted to thrust power. Propeller efficiency (ηpr) is defined as the ratio of the
thrust power generated by the propeller (TP ≡ uTpr) to the shaft power (SP):
hpr
TP pr
SP
uT
SP
==
(2.18)
when an appreciable amount of thrust is obtained from the exhaust gases Te in a turboprop
engine, an equivalent thrust power (ETP) is expressed in terms of the shaft power, propeller
efficiency, and exhaust thrust power; thus,
ETP = (SP)´hpr + Teu (2.19a)
Alternatively, an equivalent shaft power is used instead of the equivalent thrust power.
They are related to each other by the relation where
ESP
ETP
SP
Tu
pr
e
pr
==+
hh
(2.19b)
Moreover, the exhaust thrust is expressed as
Te = mh ( + f )ue - u éëùû
_ 1 (2.20a)
The total thrust force is given by the relation
T = Tpr + Te (2.20b)
The propeller efficiency is then expressed as
hpr
uT
ESP
=
(2.21)
Such propeller efficiency replaces the propulsive efficiency of other types of aeroengines
discussed earlier. More details will be given in Chapter 6.
Performance Parameters of Jet Engines 99
2.4.4 Overall Efficiency
The product of the propulsive and thermal efficiencies (ηp × ηth) or (ηpr × ηth) as appropriate
is called the overall efficiency.
In all cases,
ho
fR
Tu
mQ
=
_
(2.22)
For a turbojet with unchoked nozzle and negligible fuel-to-air ratio (f), then from
Equation 2.9
ho hth
e
u
uu
=
+
2
(2.23)