CFD ANALYSIS OF QUASI ONE DIMENSIONAL

FLOW IN A CONVERGENT DIVERGENT NOZZLE

Mr.Thirumurugan S Mr.Srisaravanan R Mr.Guru Prasaath P

Assistant professor Department of mechanical engineering Department of mechanical engineering
Department of mechanical engineering Coimbatore Institute of Technology Coimbatore Institute of Technology
Coimbatore Institute of Technology Coimbatore, India Coimbatore, India
Coimbatore, India srisaravanan18@gmail.com guruprasaath01031999@gmail.com
stmurugan@gmail.com
Mr.Nishith Balagirithar C
Mr.Krishna Kumar K N Department of mechanical engineering
Department of mechanical engineering Coimbatore Institute of Technology
Coimbatore Institute of Technology Coimbatore, India
Coimbatore, India nishithbalagirithar@gmail.com
kstar17898gmail.com

Abstract—Nozzle is one of the primary engineering
inventions which plays an indispensable role in space and power
industries. In space applications, Nozzle is used to convert
pressure energy into kinetic energy in Rocket propulsion
systems. Hence proper design and flow analysis of Nozzle is
required to achieve the optimum performance. In this project,
Quasi one-dimensional flow in a convergent-divergent nozzle is
assumed. It was analysed using three different techniques to find
out the thermodynamic properties such as velocity, density,
pressure, Mach number of the air flowing through it. The flow
problem was analysed and compared using Analytical method,
Numerical method, and CFD software simulation (ANSYS-
Fluent). Numerical analysis was carried out by using
MacCormack technique.
Keywords— Nozzle, MacCormack technique, Analytical
method, ANSYS-Fluent.
I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 COMPRESSIBLE FLOW
Compressible flow is also known as variable density flow.
The density of the fluid changes significantly in all
compressible flows. At low velocities, the density changes
are very small, hence the flow can be considered as
incompressible. The term compressibility is used to
determine whether a flow is compressible or incompressible.
A small element of fluid of volume U is considered. The
pressure exerted on the element is denoted as P. If the
pressure is increased by an amount dP, the volume reduces
by dV. The compressibility of the fluid K can be defined as
1.2 ROCKET
1.2.1 TYPES OF ROCKETS
SOLID ROCKETS
A rocket engine which uses solid propellants (fuel or
oxidiser) is called as a solid propellant rocket. It is one of the
earliest type of rockets discovered. Solid-fuel can be safely
stored for a long period of time and can be reliably launched
on short notice. They are mostly used in military applications
such as missiles owing to its great reliability and simplicity.A
solid rocket consists of a casing, nozzle, grain (propellant
charge) and igniter. The grain is a solid mass burning in a
predictable fashion and produces exhaust gases. The nozzle
dimensions are carefully calculated to maintain an optimum
design chamber pressure, whilst producing thrust from the
exhaust gases expelled. The significance of the solid-
propellant rocket lies in the fact that the fuel grain can be
stored for a long period of time without any need of any
external environment to maintain them. Solid propellant
rockets carry an oxidiser-bind which simplifies the design of
the rocket. However, on the other hand, solid rockets need
external agencies to terminate and to control the rate of
combustion.Solid-propellant rockets produces high amount of
thrust unlike any other rockets but have low specific impulse
thrust when compared to Liquid rockets. This makes the solid
rockets less efficient when compared to liquid rockets.

k=1/ρ(dρ/dp)
Temperature of the gas increases when the pressure of the gas
is increased. Compressibility at constant temperature is
known as isothermal compressibility denoted as
k=1/U (dU/dp)T
(1)
Fig. 1.1. Solid propellant rocket
LIQUID ROCKETS
A rocket engine which uses liquid-propellant as a fuel, or
an is a liquid rocket engine. Liquid rockets can be
(2) monopropellant, bipropellant or tripropellant depending on
the number of propellant types used. Liquid propellants are
also used in hybrid rockets, where a liquid oxidizer is
combined with a solid fuel. It can also be a cryogenic rocket
engine. In these engines the fuel and oxidizer have gases such
as hydrogen and oxygen cooled to extremely low
temperatures.In a liquid rocket, the stored fuel and oxidizer
are pumped into a combustion chamber where they are mixed
and burned. The combustion produces large amounts of
exhaust gases at very high temperature and high pressure. The
hot exhaust gases pass through a nozzle and is accelerated.
Fig. 1.2. Liquid propellant rocket
Liquid-propellant rockets poses a unique advantage in a sense that
the thrust can be varied in real time. We can also control the ratio at
which oxidizer and fuel are mixed. They can be shut down, and with
a suitable ignition system or self-igniting propellant, they can be
restarted anywhere at any time. Liquid rockets have higher specific
impulse than solid rockets and can be throttled to produce optimum
thrust. As it has higher specific impulse, liquid rockets are more
efficient than solid rockets.
1.2.2 NOZZLE
A Nozzle is a device designed to control the direction and
qualitative characteristics of a fluid flow as it enters or exits an
enclosed chamber or pipe. A nozzle is usually a pipe or a tube of
varying cross-sectional area. It is used to modify or direct the flow of
a fluid. Nozzles control the speed, direction, rate of flow, mass,
shape, and the pressure of the stream that emerges from them.A
rocket engine uses a nozzle to accelerate the hot exhaust gases
produced form the combustion chamber to produce thrust as
described by Newton's third law of motion. The amount of thrust
produced by the engine exclusively depends on the rate of flow
through the engine, the exit velocity of the flow, and exit pressure of
the engine. The design of the rocket nozzle alters the values of these
flow variables.
Fig. 1.3. Convergent Nozzle
CONVERGENT – DIVERGENT NOZZLE
Nozzles modify the flow of a fluid by increasing kinetic energy
of the flow at the expense of its pressure. Convergent-divergent
nozzles are most widely used for flows with Mach Number greater
than 1.
Fig. 1.4. Convergent Divergent Nozzle
A Convergent-divergent type of nozzle has three parts:
(i) The Converging section
(ii) Throat
(iii) The Diverging section.
The area of the nozzle reduces gradually in the direction of flow
in the converging section. The pressure at intake is called as
stagnation pressure where the velocity is assumed to be zero. The
pressure at exit is called as back pressure.In a nozzle the value of the
back pressure can never be more than 1. The velocity of the flow and
the mass flow rate increases as the back pressure decreases. Thus, the
Mach number increases to a certain limit after which no increase in
velocity takes place. This situation is known as choked condition.
This situation usually takes place at the throat and the Mach number
is 1.Beyond the throat is the diverging section. The area of the nozzle
increases in the direction of the flow in the diverging section. The
velocity of the flow increases, and the Mach number rises to values
greater than 1.
BELL NOZZLE
The Bell-shaped or contour nozzle is one of the most commonly
used rocket engine nozzles. The Bell shape of the nozzle is designed
to impart a large angle of expansion for the gases right after the throat.
The nozzle is then curved back in to give a straight flow of gases out
the nozzle. The density of the gas remains constant, if the velocity of
the gases is much less than the velocity of the sound. However, as the
speed of the flow increases, compressibility effects take place. While
considering the flow through a tube, if the flow is gradually
compressed (i.e. area decreases) and then gradually expanded (i.e.
area increases), the flow conditions are restored (i.e. return to its
initial position). This process is a reversible process. According to the
Second Law of Thermodynamics, whenever there is a reversible and
adiabatic flow, the entropy of the system is maintained constant,
signifying an isentropic expansion or reversible adiabatic process.
Figure. 1.5. P-V graph of Isentropic flow
1.3 COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the branch of fluid
mechanics that uses numerical methods and complex algorithms to
solve and analyse problems that involve flows of fluids. Computers
are used to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces
which is already defined by boundary conditions. Even with high-
speed supercomputers only approximate solutions are achieved.
1.3.1 METHODS OF CFD
There are three approaches for solving a problem in
computational fluid dynamics. They are,
1. Finite Difference Method (FDM)
2. Finite Element Method (FEM)
3. Finite Volume Method (FVM)
Finite difference methods (FDM) and finite element methods (FEM)
are the basic tools which are used in the solution of partial differential
equations in general.
 1.3.2 FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD
Finite difference method is one of the oldest and simplest methods
used for solving partial differential equations. FDM converts a linear
or a non-linear partial difference equation into a system of linear
equations, which could be later solved using algebraic techniques.
FDM divides the solution into a set of finite discrete points and
replaces the partial difference equations with unique set of difference
equations. Thus, the solutions obtained by FDM are not usually exact
but approximate. The error in the solution can be minimized to a
greater extent if the discretization is made very fine.
Fig. 1.6. Flow chart – Finite Difference Method
1.4 ANSYS- FLUENT
ANSYS FLUENT software has a significantly broad physical
modelling capability required to model flow, turbulence, heat
transfer, mass transfer and other reactions for industrial applications
which ranges from air flow over an aircraft wing to the combustion
in a furnace.This advanced solver technology has the capability to
achieve fast and accurate CFD results, flexible moving and
deforming meshes, and superior parallel scalability. User-defined
functions allows implementation of new user models and the
extensive customization of existing ones. ANSYS FLUENT’s
interactive solver set-up, and post-processing makes it easy for the
user to pause the calculation, examine the results with integrated
post-processing techniques, change any setting, and then continue the
calculation within a single application.
1.4.1 OUTLINE OF ANSYS FLUENT
Computational Fluid Dynamic codes are structured with
numerical algorithms that can solve fluid flow problems. All the CFD
codes available in the market usually have three basic elements which
divide the complete analysis of the numerical experiment to be
performed on the specific domain.
The three basic elements are
(i) Pre-processor
(ii) Solver and
(iii) Post-Processor
1.4.2 WORKBENCH
ANSYS Workbench is an intuitive tool that provides a platform
for integration of a Computer aided design model into the fluid
domain. ANSYS Workbench acts as a Graphical User Interface that
upholds fluid dynamics tools to analyse a contour in a specified
control volume. Following flow chart gives a descriptive
representation of the workbench interface.
Fig. 1.7. Workbench flowchart
Workbench provides a CAD support where geometries from
other software can be imported and provides an inbuilt design
modular to generate models. Meshing interface is a pre-processer that
discretizes the geometry into a fine element of mesh. Setup interface
is where the boundary conditions, flow materials, equations and
parameters are assigned as per the flow assumptions. Solution
interface is a solver were the calculation is initialised from the
required flow boundary for a specific number of iterations until
convergence takes place. Results is a post processer which provides
flow solution results of desired medium.
1.4.3 MESHING AND PRE-PROCESSING
The pre-processing technique of the CFD process consists of the
input of a flow problem by means of user-friendly programs or
software and the subsequent transformation of this input into a form
which is made suitable to use by the solver. The pre-processor is the
link between the user and the solver. The user activity at the pre-
processing stage of the CFD process involves the following:
1) Definition of Geometry or region of Interest: This process
involves several computer aided design (CAD) softwares like
CATIA, Solid works, Pro-E and many more. By the help of CAD
software, the topology of the fluid flow region of interest is defined.
This software plays a pivotal part of the design and other optimization
process used for research analysis
2) Grid Generation or Meshing: Since the CFD process is a
numerical approximation method which uses finite volume method,
the given domain or the region of interest must be divided into several
structured elements or cells. All the elements or cells are connected
through nodes to form the required domain region of flow. For this
purpose, special meshing or grid generation software like GAMBIT,
ANSYS Workbench and T-grid are used. This stage is the key
element in CFD finite volume numerical simulation, and it also
contributes to the accuracy of the results.
 3) Definition of Fluid properties: Every fluid domain or surface ρ = 1 - 0.3146 ( x ) (4)
have its own distinct property. The properties of the fluid which are
used in the CFD domain or region of interest are defined at this stage Τ = 1 - 0.2314 ( x ) (5)
of the CFD Process. Usually the CFD code software has this facility. V = ( 0.1 + 1.09 x)T0.5 (6)
4) Boundary Conditions: Each unique setup of the CFD domain The flow at the inlet to the nozzle comes from the reservoir and
must have an initialization, and it is fulfilled by the boundary it is subsonic. The flow expands isentropically to supersonic speed at
conditions input. The CFD code usually has this facility to define the the nozzle exit. Therefore, the flow is subsonic at the convergent
boundary conditions of the CFD problem, where each cell at a section ( M < 1 ), sonic at the throat ( M = 1) and supersonic at the
specific boundary are given finite values. divergent section of the nozzle ( M > 1).
1.4.4 NUMERICAL SOLVER A.MACCORMACK’S TECHNIQUE
The numerical solver is one of the key elements of the CFD MacCormack technique is an explicit finite-difference technique.
process. In the current market, the solvers usually have three distinct It is second-order-accurate in both space and time. The results
ways of calculating the solutions, namely, the finite difference obtained using this method can be satisfactorily applied to many fluid
method, finite element method and the finite volume method. The flow applications. The MacCormak technique involves two steps,
finite difference and finite element method are usually suitable for Predictor step and Corrector Step.
structural and stress analysis and does not suit the requirements of the
CFD process. The finite volume method is one of the most suitable In the continuity equation the spatial derivatives on the right-
method for the CFD process. As the name implies, finite volume hand side are replaced by the forward difference terms. The equations
method is the numerical algorithm calculation process which are obtained as follows
involves the use of finite volume cells. The steps involved in this 𝜕𝜌 𝑡
𝑉𝑖+1 − 𝑉𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖+1 − 𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖 𝑡
𝜌𝑖+1 − 𝜌𝑖𝑡
solving process are carried out as follows: ( )𝑡𝑖 = − 𝜌𝑖𝑡 − 𝜌𝑖𝑡 𝑉𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑉𝑖 𝑡 (7)
𝜕𝑡 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
1. Integration of the governing equations of fluid flow over all 𝑡
𝑉𝑖+1 − 𝑉𝑖𝑡 𝑡
1 𝑇𝑖+1 − 𝑇𝑖𝑡 𝑇𝑖𝑡 𝜌𝑖+1
𝑡
− 𝜌𝑖𝑡
the control volumes or finite volumes of the solution domain. (𝜕𝑉/𝜕𝑡)𝑡𝑖 = − 𝑉𝑖 𝑡 − ( − ) (8)
∆𝑥 𝛾 ∆𝑥 𝜌𝑖𝑡 ∆𝑥

2. Conversion of the integral forms of equations into another 𝑡

𝑉𝑖+1 − 𝑉𝑖𝑡
system of algebraic equations. 𝑇𝑡 − 𝑇𝑡
(𝜕𝑇/𝜕𝑡)𝑡𝑖 =− 𝑉𝑖 𝑡 𝑖+1 𝑖 − (𝛾 − 1)𝑇𝑖𝑡 ( ∆𝑥
𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖+1 − 𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖
) (9)
∆𝑥
3. Calculations of the algebraic equations by a formal iterative + 𝑉𝑖 𝑡
∆𝑥
method.
All flow variables at time ‘t’ are known. The predicted values of
1.4.5 POST PROCESSOR 𝜌,V,T at time +∆t are obtained by using the following equations.
The post processor is the last stage of the CFD process that 𝜕𝜌 𝑡
𝜌̅𝑖 𝑡+∆𝑡 = 𝜌𝑖𝑡 + ( ) ∆𝑡 (10)
involves data visualization and the result analysis of the CFD process. 𝜕𝑡 𝑖
This phase uses the valuable data visualization tools of the CFD 𝑡
𝜕𝑉
solver to obtain the results of the simulation such as domain geometry 𝑉̅𝑖𝑡+∆𝑡 = 𝑉𝑖𝑡 + ( ) ∆𝑡 (11)
𝜕𝑡 𝑖
and grid display, vector plots, line and shaded contour plots, 2D and
3D surface plots, XY plots and graphs of results. 𝜕𝑇 𝑡
𝑇̅𝑖𝑡+∆𝑡 = 𝑇𝑖𝑡 + ( ) ∆𝑡 (12)
𝜕𝑡 𝑖
2 PROBLEM DEFINITION
In the corrector step, spatial derivatives are set up by backward
A convergent divergent nozzle was chosen for the flow analysis. differences
Flow changes from subsonic to sonic in the convergent portion of the
nozzle and sonic to supersonic in the divergent portion of the nozzle. ̅ 𝑡
𝜕𝜌 𝑉̅ 𝑡− 𝑉
̅𝑡 𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖 − 𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖−1 ̅
𝜌 −𝜌 𝑡 𝑡
( ) = − 𝜌̅𝑖𝑡 𝑖 𝑖−1 − 𝜌̅𝑖𝑡 𝑉̅𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑉̅𝑖 𝑡 𝑖 𝑖−1 (13)
𝜕𝑇 𝑖 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
2.1.1 ASSUMPTIONS
𝑡
̅
𝜕𝑇 𝑇̅𝑖𝑡 − 𝑇̅𝑖−1
𝑡 ̅𝑖𝑡 − 𝑉
𝑉 𝑡
̅𝑖−1 𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖 − 𝑙𝑛 𝐴𝑖−1
• One dimensional ( ) = − 𝑉̅𝑖 𝑡 − (𝛾 − 1)𝑇̅𝑖𝑡 ( + 𝑉̅𝑖 𝑡 )
𝜕𝑇 𝑖 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
• Inviscid Flow (14)
𝑡
• No heat transfer ̅
𝜕𝑉 ̅𝑖𝑡 − 𝑉
𝑉 𝑡
̅𝑖−1 1 𝑇̅𝑖𝑡 − 𝑇̅𝑖−1
𝑡
𝑇̅𝑖𝑡 ̅𝑖𝑡 − 𝜌𝑖−1
𝜌 𝑡
( ) = − 𝑉̅𝑖 𝑡 − ( − ̅𝑖𝑡
) (15)
𝜕𝑇 𝑖 ∆𝑥 ᵞ ∆𝑥 𝜌 ∆𝑥
• Isentropic Flow
From the values obtained from these equations, the average time
• Unsteady derivatives are given by
The flow parameters – Density ratio, Temperature ratio, Velocity ̅ 𝑡+∆𝑡
𝜕Ꝭ 𝜕𝜌 𝑡 𝜕𝜌
ratio, Mach number, Pressure ratio are found at different sections of ( ) = 0.5 [( ) + ( ) ] (16)
𝜕𝑡 𝑎𝑣 𝜕𝑇 𝑖 𝜕𝑇 𝑖
the nozzle and the results are found using CFD technique
(MacCormack) for different time steps. The values obtained from 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝑡 ̅ 𝑡+∆𝑡
𝜕𝑉
these numerical methods are compared with the analytical solutions ( )
𝜕𝑡 𝑎𝑣
= 0.5 [( ) + ( )
𝜕𝑇 𝑖
]
𝜕𝑇 𝑖
(17)
and simulations from ANSYS-Fluent. The cross-sectional area of the
nozzle varies along the length of the nozzle. The flow through the 𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝑇 𝑡 ̅ 𝑡+∆𝑡
𝜕𝑇
( ) = 0.5 [( ) + ( ) ] (18)
nozzle varies only in X-direction. The variations in the properties 𝜕𝑡 𝑎𝑣 𝜕𝑇 𝑖 𝜕𝑇 𝑖
along the Y-direction is very small. Hence the changes are neglected
in Y-direction. Such one-dimensional flow is called quasi-one- The final MacCormack solution for ρ, V, T at time t+∆t is
dimensional flow. Isentropic flow through a convergent divergent obtained by using the following equations.
nozzle is considered. The cross-sectional area of the convergent 𝜕𝜌
divergent nozzle varies according to the equation, 𝜌𝑖 𝑡+∆𝑡 = 𝜌𝑖𝑡 + ( ) ∆𝑡 (19)
𝜕𝑡 𝑎𝑣

A = 1 + 2.2 ( x - 1.5 )2 0≤𝑥≤3 (3) 𝑉𝑖𝑡+∆𝑡 = 𝑉𝑖𝑡 + ( )

𝜕𝑉
∆𝑡 (20)
𝜕𝑡 𝑎𝑣
The non-dimensional properties of the flow such as Density ratio,
𝜕𝑇
Temperature ratio and Velocity ratio at initial conditions(T=0) are 𝑇𝑖𝑡+∆𝑡 = 𝑇𝑖𝑡 + ( ) ∆𝑡 (21)
𝜕𝑡 𝑎𝑣
given by,
 The magnitude of the time step is given by the equation,
∆𝑥
∆𝑡 = (0.5) (22)
𝑎+𝑉

The magnitude of ∆𝑡 must not exceed a particular value to

achieve stability in the solution. This value is determined by
calculating the ∆𝑡 values at all the grid points and finding the
minimum of the ∆𝑡 values. This minimum value is taken as the value
of ∆𝑡.
V1, ρ1, T1 are the required values to be calculated at the inlet. The
value of V1 varies with time. It is calculated with the information
provided by the flow-field solution for the internal grid points. Linear
extrapolation is used to determine V1 from the points 2 and 3. Thus
V1 is obtained from the equation
V1 = 2V2 – V3 (23)
Since point 1 is viewed as the reservoir Ꝭ1, T1 are assumed to be
equal to their respective reservoir values Ꝭ 0, T0. These values are
independent of time. Hence in terms of the non-dimensional variables
we have, ρ1 = 1 and T1 = 1
To calculate the values at the grid point N linear extrapolation
based on the internal points were used. Thus, the values of V N ,TN,
ρN were obtained as follows,
VN = 2VN-1 - VN-2 (24)
TN = 2TN-1 - TN-2 (25)
ρN = 2ρN-1 - ρN-2 (26)
The initial conditions are taken as, Fig. 2.4. Calculation of area

ρ = 1 − 0.3146𝑥 (27) Using the areas obtained, the design of the nozzle is generated
using SOLIDWORKS 2017. From MATLAB results the area
𝑇 = 1 − 0.2134x (28) obtained is formulated to find the diameter along the length of the
Nozzle. With respect to the diameters NURBS were created to form
𝑉 = (0.1 + 1.09𝑥)T0.5 (29) the parabolic Convergent Divergent Nozzle contour.

2.4 ANSYS FLUENT

2.4.1 GEOMETRY MODELLING
The area of the nozzle is given by the equation,
A = 1 + 2.2 ( x - 1.5 )2 0≤𝑥≤3 (30)
From the above equation, the cross-sectional area at each point can
be obtained from MATLAB code. The flowchart for the MATLAB
code is shown below.

Fig. 2.5. Sketch from Area Equation

The sketched contour is extruded for zero thickness to form a
planar surface. Since the project is based on 1-Dimensional analysis,
a 2-Dimensional geometry was generated. The geometry was then
imported in ANSYS Fluent for pre-processing.
2.4.2 MESHING
The partial differential equations that govern fluid flow are not
usually amenable to analytical solutions, except for very simple
cases. Therefore, in order to analyse fluid flows, flow domains are
split into smaller sub domains made up of geometric primitives like
hexahedra and tetrahedra in 3D and quadrilaterals and triangles in
2D. The governing equations are then discretized and solved inside
each of these sub domains. Meshing ensures proper continuity of
solution across the common interfaces between two sub domains, so
that the approximate solution inside various portions can be put
together to give a complete picture of fluid flow in the entire domain.
The sub domains are often called elements or cells, and the collection
of all elements or cells is called a mesh or grid. The origin of the term
mesh or grid goes back to early days of CFD when most analyses
were 2D in nature. For 2D analyses, a domain split into elements
resembles a wire mesh, hence the name.In our project based on our
assumptions for 1-Dimensional flow a 2-Dimensional Mesh is
choose for a 2-Dimensional model. The profile of our Nozzle’s
contour is a cross section of a Convergent-Divergent Nozzle that
replicates a parabolic profile. Quadrilateral element of intermediate
nodes is selected such that the intricate parabolic profiles are finely
meshed. Pressure energy is Converted into Kinetic energy along the
flow of the Nozzle. The magnitude of this energy conversion is more
in the throat region henceforth meshing in the throat region is made
finer. Face splitting was done for the 2-Dimensional Nozzle surface
model such that throat region is selectively chosen to perform a finer
mesh. Edge Sizing was done to select the throat regions. We arrived
at an unstructured mesh with a selective finer mesh in the throat
region, shown in below image.
Fig. 2.8. Edge sizing 1
Since we need a fine mesh throat region edge sizing is done. Edge
sizing divides the face into number of divisions on X and Y axis of
the geometry there by discretising elements. Small number of
divisions creates a coarse mesh with small number of elements and
vice versa. The Nozzle geometry is divided with respect to two edges
so that throat region is finer when compared to the contour regions.
In Fig. 3.8, the inlet, throat and outlet regions are selected. In Fig. 3.9,
the outer contour is selected.

Fig. 2.6. Unstructured Mesh

Unstructured mesh is generally not appreciated because element
size variation between the fine layers and the coarse layers is more.
This may lead to inaccurate calculation and indefinite number of
iterations. The unstructured mesh is structured by using Face
mapping. Structured mesh consists of elements that do not have
drastic variation of sizes between finer and coarse layers. A
structured mesh with a selective finer mesh in the throat region,
shown in below image.

Fig. 2.9. Edge sizing 2

Throat region are divided with a higher number of divisions than
the outer contour region there by selectively creating a fine mesh in
the throat when compared to the mesh in outer contour region. The
number of divisions for edge sizing were varied until mesh was
converged.

Fig. 2.7. Structured Mesh

2.4.3 MESH CONVERGENCE
Mesh convergence is the process of making an optimally fine
mesh there by the solution converges with minimal computation time
and provides accurate results. The accuracy of results is analysed by
comparison of the results of varying mesh sizes. The result is said to
be accurate when there is no deviation between the comparison. The
fineness of mesh is represented by the number of elements and nodes Table 2.1 Mesh convergence
that the mesh settings has produced.
2.4.4 SETUP AND INITIALIZATION
Setting and initialization of the problem in ANSYS Fluent plays
a vital role in the solution and iteration-convergence. The project
deals with Quasi 1-Dimensional flow, we have assumed it to be an
Isentropic inviscid flow.
 Fig. 2.10. Iteration Convergence Graph
The convergence graph which is plotted with iterations along x-
axis and difference between iterations along y-axis. In this
convergence graph, the white curve represents continuity equation,
red curve represents velocity along x-axis, green curve represents
velocity along y-axis, navy blue curve represents sky blue curve
represents turbulent kinetic energy equation.For the solution to
converge 500 iterations was set as convergence criteria and the
solution converged in 476 iterations.
3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the flow field variables obtained from the
techniques discussed is compared below.
3.1 MACH NUMBER
Table 3.1 Mach number comparison
From the table, it can be seen that the Mach numbers from the
analytical method and numerical method are identical.
3.2 VARIATION WITH TIME
The variation of the flow properties at the throat with respect to time
is shown in Fig 3.1.
Fig. 3.2. Variation of flow properties with time
The values of ρ , T , p , M are plotted versus the number of time steps.
It can be seen that the largest changes take place at early times. As
the time progresses the flow variables approach steady-state value.
The steady state is reached after 767 time steps.
3.3 ANSYS FLUENT
Simulation results from Ansys Fluent are post processed and
velocity, pressure, temperature and density streamlines are plotted
along the contour.
VELOCITY
Fig. 3.3. Mach Number
The Fig. 3.3 represents stream line of Mach Number along the
Nozzle Contour. It is seen that the flow changes from subsonic to
supersonic and the flow prevails sonic at Throat region (minimum
area region).
PRESSURE
Fig. 3.3. Pressure variation
The Fig. 3.3 represents Pressure stream line along the Nozzle
Contour. It is seen that there is steady drop in pressure which shows
that pressure energy is converted into velocity energy.
TEMPERATURE
Fig. 3.4. Temperature variation
The Fig. 3.4 represents Temperature variation along the Nozzle
Contour. It is seen that there is steady drop in temperature. Due to
expansion of gases after the throat region temperature decreases
along with decrease in pressure.
DENSITY
Fig. 3.5 – Density variation
The Fig. 3.5 represents Density variation along the Nozzle
Contour. It is seen that there is steady drop in density. Due to
expansion of gases after the throat region density decreases along
with decrease in pressure.
4 CONCLUSION
The variation of the flow properties across the length of the
nozzle was calculated using Analytical method, Numerical Method
and ANSYS. The results of Analytical method and Numerical
method were compared and the results were found to be in good
agreement with each other.
• Mach number varies from 0.0988 at entry to 3.3589
• Density ratio varies from 0.9952 at entry to 0.0523
• Temperature ratio varies from 0.9981 at entry to 0.3071
•Pressure varies from 0.9933 at entry to 0.016
4.1 FUTURE SCOPE
Convergent Divergent Nozzles experience change in ambient
pressure at outlet as altitude varies. Due to a drop in atmospheric
pressure with increase in altitude, the Convergent Divergent Nozzle
compensates the drop in pressure by allowing the exhaust gases to
expand causing a loss in linear thrust this phenomenon is an inability
of Convergent Divergent Nozzle to compensate the altitude. Loss in
linear thrust results in loss of efficiency and forward thrust since the
exhaust gases under expands to compensate the ambient pressure
drop. An external adapter called Aerospike Nozzle is attached to the
outlet of Convergent Divergent Nozzle to provide attitude
compensation. Aerospike Nozzle is a plug shaped truncated nozzle.
An aerospike nozzle has a spike in the centre of the nozzle. The flow
from outlet of Convergent Divergent Nozzle enters into the
Aerospike Nozzle as an inlet and from the throat of the aerospike, the
innermost streamlines of the flow follow the contours of the spike,
gradually being turned in the axial direction. At the design ambient
pressure, the outermost streamlines turn sharply in the axial direction
immediately as they leave the throat, a result of being suddenly
exposed to the ambient pressure. The path of outermost streamlines
is dependent on the ambient pressure in which a given aerospike
nozzle is operating. However, the innermost streamlines are
unaffected by the ambient pressure and always follow the same path
along the contour of the aerospike. Due to the flow of the expanding
exhaust gases being dependent on ambient pressure, an aerospike
nozzle is capable of providing altitude compensation during flight.
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