JET PROPULSION 4.1 INTRODUCTION The principle of jet propulsion is obtained from the application Newton’s third law. i.e., For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We know that when a fluid is to be accelerated, a force is required to produce this acceleration in the fluid. At the same time, there is an equal and opposite reaction force acting on this fluid. This opposite reaction force of the fluid on the engine is known as thrust. Hence it may stated that the principle of jet propulsion is based on the reaction principle. Any fluid can be used to achieve the jet propulsion principle. Thus water, steam, and combustion gases are used to propel a body ina fluid. But there are limitations imposed upon the choice of the suitable fluid when it is applied to the propulsion bodies. 4.2 CLASSIFICATION OF JET PROPULSION Jet propulsion engines may be classified broadly into two groups. Air breathing engines — Combustion takes place by using atmospheric air (a) (b) Rocket engines — Combustion takes place by using its own oxygen supply 4.3 CLASSIFICATION OF AIR BREATHING ENGINES Air breathing engines can be further classified as follows: 1. Ramjet Engine 2. Pulse Jet Engine 3. Turbojet Engine 4. — Turbo Prop Engine 5. Turbo Fan Engine4.4RAMJET ENGINE Construction v The Construction of’ Ramj jet Engine is shown in fj 523, P igure 4,] is air breathing engine. which is Simplest types of, VY Itconsists of: 1. Supersonic diffuser (1 -2) 2. Subsonic diffuser (2-3) 3. Combustion chamber (3-4) 4. Discharge nozzle section (4-5) . Y — The function of Supersonic and subsonic diffusers are to convert th ett of the entering air into Pressure energy. This energy transfor effect and the pressure rise is called the ram Pressure, e kinetic energy rmation is called ram Y The function of nozzle is to convert Pressure energy of gas into kinetic energy, Inlet and Supersonic subsonic Combustion diffuser Giffaser Chamber Nozzle Normal At | J B i shock f r Co — | m, _y Gin | m.+m, I (et of Oblique _+ B bases) Shock Al 0 Central body housing accessories Figure 4.1 Ramjet engine Working . v A i i it ity gets Air from the atmosphere enters the engine at a very high speed ahd its velocity gi reduced and its static pressure is increased by supersonic diffuser. ic di: i it duces ¥ Then the air passes through the subsonic diffuser and its velocity further Te to subsonic value. Due to this, the pressure of air increases to ignition pressure.Jet Propulsion 'e [ ¥ Then the hi ee pe rea air flows into the combustion chamber. In the combustion ae uel is injected by suitable injectors and the air fuel mixture is burnt. v 1¢ highly heated produc! ts of combusti exhaust nozzle section, Sea ae ¥ Inth n the nozzle pressure energy of the gas is converted into kinetic energy. So the gases coming out from the unit with very high velocity. v Due to high velocity of gases coming out from the unit, a reaction or thrust is produced in the opposite direction. This thrust propels ‘ircraft. ¥ — Ramjet produces very high thrust v with high efficiency at supersonic speeds. So, it is best suitable for high speed aircrafts. a vy The air enters the engine witha supersonic speed must be reduced to subsonic speed. This is necessary to prevent the blow out of the flame in the combustion chamber. The velocity must be small enough to make it possible to add the required quantity of fuel for stable combustion. Y Both theory and experiment indicate that the speed of the air entering the combustion. chamber should not be higher than that corresponding to a local Mach number of 0.2 approximately. a Ideal Efficiency of Ramjet Engine Ideal efficiency: The ramjet engine works on the Brayton cycle, which is shown. in figure 4.2. rioure 4.2 Ideal brayton cycle for Ramjet engine—_ "=" Performance Net thrust V, ii ’; Mach number is shown in figure 4.3. It can be seen at low flight speeds the thrust is quite high, while at hi igh, while at high i i is ii at low speeds the compression is noon speeds it reduces considerably. This is ‘because se ok ogo Ez 4s ge e = Zz a9 Mach Number Figure 4.3 Performance of a Ramjet engine Advantages Y — Ramjet engine is very simple and does not have any moving part. Y — Costis low ¥Y —_Lessmaintenance Y The specific fuel consumption is better than other gas turbine power plants at high speed. Y¥ There is no upper limit to the flight speed. Y Light weight when compared with turbojet engine.Disadvantages Y _ Since the take-off thrust is Zero, it is not possible to Start aramjet eno: external launching device. nein yj hoy Y | Thecombustion chamber required flame holder to stabilize the co! high speed of air. busting Y _ Itis very difficult to design a diffuser which will give g00d pressure reco a wide range of speeds. te Y — Ithas low thermal efficiency. Applications Y _ Itis widely used in high speed aircrafts and missiles due to its high thrust and] operational speed. Y Subsonic ramjets are used in target weapons. 4.5 PULSE JET ENGINE (OR) FLYING BOMB Y Theconstruction of pulse jet engine is shown in figure 4.4 which is similar tora engine. ¥ Itconsists of: @ ~— Adiffuser. i) A valve grid which contains springs that close on their own sp! pressure. ii) Combustion chamber. (iv) Spark plug. (v) A tail pipe (or discharge nozzle). ¥ The function of diffuser is to convert the kinetic energy of the entering air pressure energy. Y The function ofnozzle is to convert pressure energy of gas into kinetic energy:« Jet Propulsion 5 Inlet diffuser Combustion chamber Valve grid Tail piece Air —> —> Exhaust gas Fuel Spark plug fhnust F Figure 4.4 The je A pulse jet engit Working Ujnate v__ Air from the atmos Fe sphere enters into pulse jet engi i 5 p 5 a jet engine. The air velocity gets reduced and its static pressure is increased by diffuser. er v i ; When a certain pressure difference exists across the value grid, the valve will open . and allow the air to enter into the combustion chamber. Y Inthe combustion chamber, fuel is mixed with air and combustion starts by the use of spark plug. Y — Once the combustion starts it proceeds at constant volume. So there is a rapid increase in pressure, which causes the valve to close rapidly. v The highly heated products of ‘combustion gases are then allowed to expand in the ‘exhaust nozzle (Tail pipe) section. Y Inthe nozzle pressure energy of the gas is converted into kinetic energy. So the gascs coming out from the unit with very. high velocity. Y Due tohigh velocity of gases coming out from the unit, a reaction (or) thrust is produced in the opposite direction. This thrust propels the aircraft. Y — Since the combustion process causes the pressure to increase, the engine can operate even at static condition once it gets started. Y Whenthe combustion products accelerate from the chamber, they leave a ne vacuum in the combustion chamber. This, in turn, produces sufficient pressure P ain and new charge ofair across the valve grid, allowing the valves to open agi enters the combustion chamber.4 Gas Dynamics and Jet Propulsion ‘ Advantages Pulse jet engine is very simple device next to ramjet engine. Less maintenance. Cost is low. Light weight when compared with turbojet engine. Unlike the ramjet engine, the pulse jet engine develops thrust at zero speed. NSN SNES Disadvantages Y — Highrates of fuel consumption. Y Themaximum flight speed of the pulse jet engine is limited to 750 km/h. ¥_ Lowpropulsive efficiency than turbojet engines. 3 v — Highdegree of vibration leads to noise pollution. Applications Y _ Itisused in subsonic flights, German V-I missiles, Target aircraft missiles, pilotless aircraft, etc. YA factor practically re: its severe vibrations and high intensity of noise. stricting the use of the pulse jet engine to pilotless air craftis Ta/TURBOUET ENGINE ; the two air-breathing engines described so far are simple i have not been used very extensively. The most common type of air-breathing en, in construction and they gine is the Turbojet engine. Construction v The construction of turbojet engine is shown in figure 4.5. Y — Itconsists of: (i) Diffuser. (i) Rotary compressor (ii) Combustion chamber. @v) Turbine and (v) Exhaustnozzle,q y¥ « Jet Propulsion ofthe diftus, Pressure energy, ° convert the kinetic energy of the entering air into ¥ — The function of the nozzle j Ppa le gasesintokinetioers 18 to convert the Pressure energy of the combustion . Com, Diffuser ~OMPressor Fuel Turbine Nozzle Exhaust gas 5 Thrust F an Fuel Combustion chamber Figure 4.5 The turbojet engi ‘itine irbojet engine v Air from the atmosphere enters into turbojet engine. The air velocity gets reduced and its static pressure is increased by diffuser. ¥ Then the air passes through the rotary compressor in which the airs further compressed. ¥ Then the high pressure air flows into the combustion chamber. In the combustion. chamber, the fuel is injected by suitable injectors and the air-fuel mixture is burnt. Heat is supplied at constant pressure. Y The highly heated products of combustion gases are then enters the turbine and , partially expanded. ¥ The power produced by the turbine is just sufficient to drive the compressor, fuel pump and other auxiliaries. ; Y Thehot gases from the turbine are then allowed to expand in the exhaust nozzle section. Y — Inthe nozzle, pressure energy of the gas is converted into kinetic energy. So the gases coming out from the unit with very high velocity. ae Y — Duetohigh velocity of gases coming out from ma unit, a! fueten or thrust is produ in the opposite direction. This thrust propels : air = 7 . Y Like ramjet engine, the turbojet engine is oe low ae eh ul Y — Because of turbine mate! only a limited amount of fuel c the combustion chamber. rial limitations, te Sn anethe | pone Mi thu ' Tov | | | \Combustion chamber Pressure loss in combustion chamber re 4.6 p-v diagram of a Turbojet engine 3 Figui Turbine Figure 4.7 T-S diagram of aT turbojet engine Inthe analysis of turbojet cycle, the following assumptions are made: Specific heat is constant. There is no pressure loss in the combustion chamber. The power produced by the turbine is just sufficient to drive the compressor, fuel pump and other auxiliaries,* Gas Dynamics and Jet Propulsion ‘ As the altitude increases, the thrust decreases due to decrease in density, ity, and temperature of air. But the rate of decrease of thrust i: Pressure bie st is less than th of density with altitude. Crate of decrease Advantages Y Construction is simple. Y Less wear and tear. ¥ _ Less maintenance cost. Y _ Itrunssmoothly because continuous thrust is produced by continuous combustion of fuel. ~ Y Thespeed ofa turbojet isnot limited by the propeller and it can attain higher flight speed than turbo propeller air crafts. Y Low grade fuels like kerosene, paraffin, etc., can be used. This reduces the fuel cost. ; VY Reheat is possible to increase the thrust. Y Since turbojet engine has a compressor, it can be operated under static conditions. Disadvantages Y — Ithas low take-off thrust and hence poor starting characteristics. Y — Fuelconsumptionis high. Y — Costly materials are used. ¥ — The fuel economy at low operational speed is extremely poor. Y — Sudden decrease of speed is difficult. Y Propulsive efficiency and thrust are lower at lower speeds. Applications v Ttis b i i est suited for piloted air-crafts, military aircrafts, etc. 4.7 TURBO-PRO ee ENGINE (OR) TURBO-PROPELLER ENGINE ilar to turbo} . and propeller. ® turbojet engine. In this type, the turbine drives the compressor4 Jet Propulsion Construction ¥ Theconstruction o; f turdo-prop engine is shown in figure 4.10. -frucer COMPres: Diffuser a Fuel Turbine Nozzle a v , _—<—=— _ | Cc | Exhaust ~t—~] gas Reduction gear 2 7 ° Thrust F Propeller Fuel Combustion Shaft chamber Figure 4.10 The turboprop engine Y _ Itconsists of: @ Diffuser Gi) Compressor (ii) Combustion chamiber (iv) Turbine (v) Exhaustnozzle (vi) Reduction gear and (vi) Propeller Y The function of diffuser is to convert the kinetic energy of the entering air into pressure energy. ¥ The function of nozzle is to convert the pressure energy of the combustion gases into kinetic energy. of the shaftis very high. But the propeller cannot run athigher Y Theangular velocity angular velocity. Soa reduction gear box is provided before the power is transmitted to the propeller. Working Y Airfrom the atmosphere enters into turbo prop engine. The air velocity gets reduced and its static pressure is increased by diffuser. Y Then the air passes through the rotary compressor in which the air is further f the air is further increased. compressed. So, the static pressure ©[a4] SANNA * Gas Dynamics and Jet Propulsion oy Then the high pressure air flows into the combustion chamber. In the combust chamber, the fuel is injected by suitable injectors and the air-fuel mixture is by Cold jet thy Hot jet Primary air LJ > Cold jet > Bypass air at H.P Turbine —L.P Turbine Figure 4.12 Turbofan engine Y — The secondary air (or) by pass air (or) cold air (1,) at relatively lower pressure flows around the turbofan engine and expands in the fan nozzle. Hence thrustis produced, The thrust developed by the secondary air is at lower velocity and the thrr developed by the Primary air is at much higher velocity. aie total thrust produced in this engine isthe sum of thn. ‘produced by the primary a atte Secondary air(ri,) , This total tht ust propels the air raft. The ratio of the mass fll 7 ele a By Pass Ratio, Swrates of cold air (ri) and the hot air (ti,) is knovm at» Jet Propulsion 417 Advantages Y Thrust developed is higher than turbojet engine. Y Weight per unit thrust is lower than turbo prop engine. Y — Less noise. Y High take-off thrust. Disadvantages Y Increased frontal area. Y — Fuel consumption is high compared to turbo prop engine. Y Construction is complicated compared to turbojet engine. v Lower speed limit than turbojet engine. a eee ie ee