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Modern Compressible Flow
Modern Compressible Flow
Recent Problems Solved (42 total problems solved from 5/25 to 6/19/2011)
Reference - “Modern Compressible Flow” by Anderson, 3rd edition (2003)
Note (for problem solving) the following tables in the book were used:
Appendix A
Table A.1 – Isentropic flow properties
Table A.2 – Normal shock properties
Table A.3 – One-dimensional flow with heat addition
Table A.4 – One-dimensional flow with friction
Table A.5 – Prandtl-Meyer function and Mach angle
1.2. In the reservoir of a supersonic wind tunnel, the pressure and temperature of air are
10 atm and 320 K, respectively. Calculate the density, the number density, and the mole-
mass ratio (Note: 1 atm = 1.01 x 105 N/m2).
1.4. The pressure and temperature ratios across a given portion of a shock wave in air are
P2/P1 = 4.5 and T2/T1 = 1.687, where 1 and 2 denote conditions ahead of and behind the
shock wave, respectively. Calculate the change in entropy in units of (a) (ft-lb)/(slug-ºF),
and (b) J/(kg-K).
Solution: Assuming a calorically perfect gas where cp is constant gives the following
equation: s2 – s1 = cp ln (T2/T1) – R ln (P2/P1) equation (1.36)
(a) for English units R = 1716 ft-lb/slug-ºR,
cp = γR/(γ – 1) = (1.4/0.4)*1716 = 6006 ft-lb/slug-ºR
s2 – s1 = (6006)*ln (1.687) – (1716)*ln (4.5) = 560 (ft-lb)/(slug-ºR)
(b) for SI units R = 287 J/kg-K, cp = γR/(γ – 1) = (1.4/0.4)*287 = 1004.5 J/kg-K
s2 – s1 = (1004.5)*ln (1.687) – (287)*ln (4.5) = 93.6 J/kg-K
1.5. Assume that the flow of air through a given duct is isentropic. At one point in the
duct, the pressure and temperature are P1 = 1800 lb/ft2 and T1 = 500 ºR, respectively. At
a second point, the temperature is 400 ºR. Calculate the pressure and density at this
second point.
Solution: Isentropic flow relations give the equation P2/P1 = (T2/T1)γ/(γ-1) giving
P2 = P1*(T2/T1)γ/(γ-1) = (1800)*(400/500)3.5 = 824 lb/ft2
P = ρRT gives (824) = ρ2*(1716)*(400) ρ2 = 1.201 x 10-3 slug/ft3
3.4. Consider a normal shock wave in air. The upstream conditions are given by M1 = 3,
P1 = 1 atm, and ρ1 = 1.23 kg/m3. Calculate the downstream values of P2, T2, ρ2, M2, u2,
Po2, and To2.
Solution: Table A.1 gives Po1/P1 = 36.73, To1/T1 = 2.8 giving Po1 = 36.73 atm
Using P = ρRT
(1 atm)*(1.01 x 105 N/m2)/(1 atm) = (1.23 kg/m3)*(287 N-m/kg-K)*T1
gives T1 = 286.1 K, To1 = (2.8)*(286.1) = 801.1 K
Table A.2 gives P2/P1 = 10.33, ρ2/ρ1 = 3.857, T2/T1 = 2.679, Po2/Po1 = 0.3283,
M2 = 0.4752 gives
P2 = 10.33 atm, ρ2 = (3.857)*(1.23) = 4.744 kg/m3, T2 = (2.679)*(286.1) = 766.5 K,
Po2 = (0.3283)*(36.73) = 12.06 atm, To2 = To1 = 801.1 K
a2 = (γRT2)1/2 = [(1.4)*(287)*(766.5)]1/2 = 555 m/s
M2 = u2/a2, u2 = M2a2 = (0.4752)*(555) = 263.7 m/s
3.7. During the entry of the Apollo space vehicle into the Earth’s atmosphere, the Mach
number at a given point on the trajectory was M = 38 and the atmosphere temperature
was 270 K. Calculate the temperature at the stagnation point of the vehicle, assuming a
calorically perfect gas with γ = 1.4. Do you think this is an accurate calculation? If not,
why? If not, is your answer an overestimate or underestimate?
3.8. Consider air entering a heated duct at P1 = 1 atm and T1 = 288 K. Ignore the effect
of friction. Calculate the amount of heat per unit mass (in J/kg) necessary to choke the
flow at the exit of the duct, as well as the pressure and temperature at the duct exit, for an
inlet Mach number of (a) M1 = 2.0, and (b) M1 = 0.2.
Solution: The exit flow is choked when it is sonic giving P* and T* conditions.
(a) for M1 = 2.0, Table A.1 gives To1/T1 = 1.8 so To1 = (1.8)*(288) = 518.4 K
Table A.3 gives P/P* = 0.3636, T/T* = 0.5289, To/To* = 0.7934
P* = P/0.3636 = 2.750 atm, T* = T/0.5289 = 544.5 K,
To2 = To* = To1/0.7934 = 653.4 K
q = cp*(To2 – To1) = cp*(To* – To1)
cp = γR/(γ – 1) = (1.4)*(287)/(0.4) = 1004.5 J/kg-K
q = (1004.5)*(653.4 – 518.4) = 135607.5 J/kg
(b) for M1 = 0.2, Table A.1 gives To1/T1 = 1.008 so To1 = (1.008)*(288) = 290.3 K
Table A.3 gives P/P* = 2.273, T/T* = 0.2066, To/To* = 0.1736
P* = P/2.273 = 0.440 atm, T* = T/0.2066 = 1394 K,
To2 = To* = To1/0.1736 = 1672 K
q = cp*(To2 – To1) = cp*(To* – To1)
q = (1004.5)*(1672 – 290.3) = 1388154 J/kg
3.9. Air enters a combustor of a jet engine at P1 = 10 atm, T1 = 1000 ºR, and M1 = 0.2.
Fuel is injected and burned, with a fuel-air ratio (by mass) of 0.06. The heat released
during combustion is 4.5 x 108 ft-lb per slug of fuel. Assuming one-dimensional
frictionless flow with γ = 1.4 for the fuel-air mixture, calculate M2, P2, and T2 at the exit
of the combustor.
3.12. Air is flowing through a pipe of 0.02-m inside diameter and 40-m length. The
conditions at the exit of the pipe are M2 = 0.5, P2 = 1 atm, and T2 = 270 K. Assuming
adiabatic, one-dimensional flow, with a local friction coefficient of 0.005, calculate M1,
P1, and T1 at the entrance to the pipe.
Solution: τw = 0.5ρu2f (friction coefficient f is assumed constant for the length of the
pipe)
Table A.4 at M2 = 0.5 gives T2/T* = 1.143, P2/P* = 2.138, ρ2/ρ* = 1.871, Po2/Po* = 1.340,
4fL2*/D = 1.069, known is L = 40 m = L1* - L2* or L1* = L + L2*
4fL1*/D = 4fL/D + 4fL2*/D = 4*(0.005)*(40)/(0.02) + 1.069 = 40 + 1.069 = 41.069
From Table A.4 – linear interpolation
4fL1*/D M1 T1/T* P1/P*
32.51 0.14 1.195 7.809
41.069 x1 x2 x3
45.41 0.12 1.197 9.116
8.559/12.9 = (x1 – 0.14)/0.02 - (x2 – 1.195)/0.002 = (x3 – 7.809)/(9.116 – 7.809)
x1 = M1 = 0.127, x2 = T1/T* = 1.196, x3 = P1/P* = 8.676
T1 = (T1/T*)*(T*/T2)*T2 = (1.196)*(1/1.143)*(270) = 282.5 K
P1 = (P1/P*)*(P*/P2)*P2 = (8.676)*(1/2.138)*(1) = 4.058 atm
4.1. Consider an oblique shock wave with a wave angle equal to 35º. Upstream of the
wave, P1 = 2000 lb/ft2, T1 = 520 ºR, and V1 = 3355 ft/s. Calculate P2, T2, V2 and the flow
deflection angle θ.
Solution: upstream - P1 = 2000 lb/ft2, T1 = 520 ºR, V1 = 3355 ft/s
a1 = (γRT1)1/2 = [(1.4)*(1716)*(520)]1/2 = 1117.7 ft/s
M1 = V1/a1 = 3355/1117.7 = 3.002
Using the θ-β-M plot gives θ = 17.5º (flow deflection angle)
Mn1 = M1sin β = (3.002)*sin 35º = 1.722
Using Table A.2 (for M = 1.720) gives
P2/P1 = 3.285, T2/T1 = 1.473, Mn2 = 0.6355
P2 = (3.285)*(2000) = 6570 lb/ft2, T2 = (1.473)*(520) = 766 ºR
M2 = Mn2/sin (β – θ) = 0.6355/sin (35 – 17.5) = 2.113
a2 = (γRT2)1/2 = [(1.4)*(1716)*(766)]1/2 = 1356.5 ft/s
M2 = V2/a2 gives V2 = M2a2 = (2.113)*(1356.5) = 2867 ft/s
4.7. An incident shock wave with a wave angle = 30º impinges on a straight wall. If the
upstream flow properties are M1 = 2.8, P1 = 1 atm, and T1 = 300 K, calculate the pressure,
temperature, Mach number, and total pressure downstream of the reflected shock.
4.12. Consider a supersonic flow with an upstream Mach number of 4 and pressure of 1
atm. This flow is first expanded around an expansion corner with θ = 15º, and then
compressed through a compression corner with equal angle θ = 15º so that it is returned
to its original upstream direction. Calculate the Mach number and pressure downstream
of the compression corner.
4.14. Consider a supersonic flow past a compression corner with θ = 20º. The upstream
properties are M1 = 3 and P1 = 2116 lb/ft2. A Pitot tube is inserted in the flow
downstream of the corner. Calculate the value of the pressure measured by the Pitot tube.
Solution: upstream M1 = 3 and P1 = 2116 lb/ft2. Table A.1 gives Po1/P1 = 36.73
P01 = (36.73)*(2116) = 77720.64 lb/ft2
Oblique shock with M1 = 3, θ =20º. θ-β-M relation gives β = 36.5º
Mn1 = M1sin β = (3)*sin 36.5 = 1.784
Table A-2 gives P2/P1 = 3.530, Po2/P01 = 0.8215, Mn2 = 0.6210
Po2 = (0.8215)*(77720.68) = 63847.5 lb/ft2
M2 = Mn2/sin (β – θ) = 0.6210/sin (36.5 -20) = 2.187
There will be a normal shock in front of the Pitot tube
M2 = 2.187, Po2 = 63847.5 lb/ft2
Table A.2 gives Po3/Po2 = 0.3733, M3 = 0.4847
Po3 = (0.3733)*(63847.5) = 23834 lb/ft2 (Pitot tube total pressure measurement)
Solution: from Table A.1 for Ae/A* = 25, Me = 5.000, Po/Pe = 529.1, To/Te = 6
Pe = Po/529.1 = 10/529.1 = 0.01890 atm
Te = To/6 = 800/6 = 133.3 ºR
There will be a normal shock in front of the nose of the blunt body
Table A.2 for Me = 5 gives P2/Pe = 29, T2/Te = 5.80
P2 = 29*Pe = 29*(0.01890) = 0.548 atm
T2 = 5.8*Te = 5.8*(133.3) = 773.3 ºR
as the static properties on the nose of the blunt body.
5.10 Consider a supersonic nozzle with a Pitot tube mounted at the exit. The reservoir
pressure and temperature are 10 atm and 500 K, respectively. The pressure measured by
the Pitot tube is 0.6172 atm. The throat area is 0.3 m2. Calculate: (a) Exit Mach number
Me, (b) Exit area Ae, (c) Exit pressure and temperature Pe and Te, and (d) mass flow
through the nozzle.
Solution: (a) there will be a normal shock wave in front of the Pitot tube, Po1 = Po = 10
atm, Po2 = 0.6172 atm (at the Pitot tube),
Po2/Po1 = 0.06172, Table A.2 gives M1 = Me = 5.00
(b) Table A.1 for Me = 5 gives Ae/A* = 25 giving exit area of Ae = 25A* = 7.5 m2
(c) exit pressure Pe and temperature Te – using isentropic equations instead of tables
Pe/Po = [1 + (γ – 1)*Me2/2]-γ/(γ – 1) = (1 +0.2*52)-3.5 = 1.89 x 10-3
Pe = (1.89 x 10-3)*(10) = 0.0189 atm
Te/To = [1 + (γ – 1)*Me2/2]-1 = (1 +0.2*52)-1 = 0.1667
Te = (0.1667)*(500) = 83.33 K
(d) mass flow rate mdot = ρAu, using the exit plane
ae = (γRTe)1/2 = [(1.4)*(287)*(83.33)]1/2 = 183.0 m/s
Me = ue/ae gives ue = Meae = (5)*(183) = 914.9 m/s
Using perfect gas equation of state P = ρRT for exit flow properties
(0.0189)*(101325) = ρe*(287)*(83.33), ρe = 0.0801 kg/m3
mdot = ρeAeue = (0.0801 kg/m3)*(7.5 m2)*(914.9 m/s) = 549.5 kg/s
5.16 Consider a rocket engine burning hydrogen and oxygen. The combustor chamber
temperature and pressure are 4000 K and 15 atm, respectively. The exit pressure is 1.174
x 10-2 atm. Calculate the Mach number at the exit. Assume that γ = const = 1.22 and that
R = 519.6 J/kg-K.
7.5 Consider an incident normal shock wave that reflects from the end wall of a shock
tube. The air in the driven section of shock tube (ahead of the incident wave) is at P1 =
0.01 atm and T1 = 300 K. The pressure ratio across the incident shock is 1050. With the
use of Eq. (7.23), calculate (a) the reflected shock wave velocity relative to the tube, and
(b) the pressure and temperature behind the reflected shock.
7.7 Consider a blunt-nosed aerodynamic model mounted inside the driven section of a
shock tube. The axis of the model is aligned parallel to the axis of the shock tube, and
the nose of the model faces towards the on-coming incident shock wave. The driven gas
is air initially at a temperature and pressure of 300 K and 0.1 atm, respectively. After the
diaphragm is broken, an incident shock wave with a pressure ratio of P2/P1 = 40.4
propagates into the driven section.
(a) Calculate the pressure and temperature at the nose of the model shortly after the
incident shock sweeps by the model.
(b) Calculate the pressure and temperature at the nose of the model after the reflected
shock sweeps by the model.
Solution:
(a) Using Table A.2 for P2/P1 = 40.4 gives MS = 5.900
Using Eq. (7.10)
T2/T1 = (P2/P1)*{[(γ + 1)/(γ – 1) + P2/P1]/[1 + (γ + 1)/(P2/P1)/(γ – 1)]}
= (40.4)*[(6 + 40.4)/(1 + 6*40.4)] = 7.072
T2 = 2310 K
P2/P1 = 40.4 gives P2 = 4.04 atm
(b) Using Eq. (7.23)
MR/(MR2 – 1) = MS/(MS2 – 1)*[1 + 2*(γ – 1)*(MS2 – 1)*(γ + 1/MS2)/(γ + 1)2]1/2
MR/(MR2 – 1) = [5.9/(5.92 – 1)]*[1 + (0.8/2.42)*(5.92 -1)*(1.4 + 1/5.92)]1/2 = 0.4845
0.4845MR2 – MR – 0.4845 = 0
MR = {1 +- [(-1)2 – 4*(0.4845)*(-0.4845)]1/2}/(2*0.4845)
Taking positive root gives MR = 2.469 and using Table A.2 (with linear interpolation)
P5/P2 = 6.952, T5/T2 = 2.108
P5 = (6.952)*(4.04) = 28.09 atm, T5 = (2.108)*(2310) = 4869 K
9.2 In low-speed flow, the pressure coefficient at a point on an airfoil is -0.90. Calculate
the value of Cp at the same point for M∞ = 0.6 by means of (a) The Prandtl-Glauert rule,
(b) Laitone’s correction, and (c) The Karman-Tsien rule.
Solution: (a) The Prandtl-Glauert rule is given by the following:
Cp = Cpo/(1 - M∞2) = -0.9/(1 – 0.62)1/2 = -1.125
(b) Laitone’s correction is given by the following:
Cp = Cpo/{(1 - M∞2)1/2 + [M∞2*(1 + (γ -1)* M∞2/2)/(2*(1 - M∞2)1/2)]*Cpo}
= -0.9/{(1 – 0.62)1/2 + [0.62*(1 + 0.2*0.62)/2*(1 – 0.62)1/2]*(-0.9)} = -1.54
(c) The Karman-Tsien rule is given by the following:
Cp = Cpo/{(1 - M∞2)1/2 + [M∞2/(1 + (1 - M∞2)1/2)]*Cpo/2
= -0.9/{(1 – 0.62)1/2 + [0.62/(1 + (1 – 0.62)1/2)]*(-0.9/2) = - 1.27