PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS ON A TURBO JET ENGINE

Aim :
To find out the net thrust produced by the SR30 jet engine

Introduction:
The turbojet is an air breathing jet engine, typically used in aircraft. The different components of the
turbojet engine are highlighted in Fig. 1. The engine comprises of the diffuser, compressor, combustion
chamber, turbine (that drives the compressor) and the propelling nozzle. The air entering the engine is
compressed as it passes through the inlet diffuser and the compressor. The compressed air from the
compressor is heated by burning fuel in the combustion chamber and then allowed to expand through
the turbine. The turbine exhaust is then expanded in the propelling nozzle where it is accelerated to high
speed to provide thrust.

Fig. 1: Basic components of a turbojet engine

The turbojet engine works on the principle of Brayton cycle, which is shown schematically in Fig. 2.
According to the principle of the Brayton cycle, air is compressed in the turbine compressor. The
process 0-3 shows the compression, 3-4 constant pressure heat addition, and 4-8 the expansion process
through the turbine and the nozzle. The change in kinetic energy of the gases between the exhaust and
the inlet produces the net thrust by the engine.

1
 Fig. 2: T-s diagram for the ideal turbojet cycle

Test Set-up:

The photograph of the test set-up is shown in Fig. 3 with the different components marked. The engine
is run

Fig. 3: The turbojet engine SR30 set-up at IIST

Engine and accessory specifications - SR30 turbojet:

ENGINE DIAMETER - 6.8 inches (17 cm)

ENGINE LENGTH - 10.8 inches (27 cm)
DESIGN MAXIMUM THRUST- 40 lbf (178 N)

2
 MASS FLOW RATE - 1.1 lbs/s (0.5 kg/s)
COMPRESSION - 2.5 : 1
SPECIFIC FUEL CONSUMPTION 1.2 (mid thrust)
COMPRESSOR TYPE - Single Stage Centrifugal (Radial Outflow)
TURBINE TYPE - Single Stage Axial Flow
IGNITION SYSTEM - Air gap, high voltage capacitor discharge into igniter plug
LUBRICATION SYSTEM - Fully recirculating auxiliary pump
FUEL SYSTEM - Metered return, spill type system, auxiliary pump
FUEL USED Kerosene

Theory:
To find out the thrust due to intake air at compressor inlet,
Diameter of the engine intake bell section at pitot static tube location, Dc = 6.604 cm

Diameter of the tacho generator housing, d = 1.905 cm

Cross sectional area at pitot static tube location, A =

π
4

Dc  d 2
2

Pitot static gauge pressure at compressor inlet side, p1 = p(1,gauge)

Pitot static absolute pressure at compressor inlet side, pabs, 1 = p(1, gauge) + patm

Temperature at compressor inlet, T1 =

Density of air corresponding to pabs, 1 and T1 from air table,  =

2p 1
Velocity of air at compressor inlet, Vi = m/s
ρ

.
Volume flow rate of air into the compressor, m =  A Vi kg/s
.
Thrust due to intake air, F1 = m Vi N

Vi
Mach number of the air flow at this section, M =
γ R T1

To find out the thrust due to exit gas at nozzle exit,

Diameter at nozzle exit, De = 5.6 cm

Cross sectional area at nozzle exit, A =

π
4
De
2

Pitot static gauge pressure at nozzle exit side, pe = p(exit, gauge)

Pitot static absolute pressure at nozzle exit side, pabs,e = p(exit, gauge)+ patm

3
 Temperature at Nozzle exit, Te =

Density of exit gas corresponding to pabs,e and Te from air table,  =

2p e
Velocity of air at compressor inlet, Ve = m/s
ρ

.
Volume flow rate of air into the compressor, m =  A Ve kg/s
.
Thrust due to outflow of air, F2 = m Ve N

Ve
Mach number of the air flow at this section, M =
γ R Te

Net thrust of the engine,

F = F2 - F1

Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption,

Weight of Fuel Burned per hour

T.S.F.C =
Thrust Force

Procedure:
1. Ensure the compressed air supply at 140 PSI.
2. Ensure the electric supply, fuel level and oil level in the test rig.
3. Switch on the ignition key and check the display.
4. Connect the data acquisition system to the test rig and open the software.
5. Press the start button to run the engine.
6. After attain engine speed above 14000 rpm, move the throttle lever to adequate position for
running at normal running condition.
7. At a particular speed note all the relevant data and tabulate the readings.
8. Repeat the procedure for different speed up to the maximum possible level.
9. Move the throttle lever back to reduce the engine speed and then press the switch off button to
stop the engine.
10. Switch off the ignition key and shut the compressed air supply.

4
 Sl. Compres Compres Turbine Turbine Nozzle Fuel Speed Thrust Comp Comp Turbi Turbi Exhau
No sor inlet sor exit Inlet Exit Exit consu ressor ressor ne ne st Gas
Observations:

Pressure Pressure Pressur Pressur Pressur mptio inlet Exit inlet Exit Temp
e e e n Temp
o Temp
o Temp
o Temp
o o
PSIG PSIG PSIG PSIG PSIG Gal/hr rpm Lbs c c c c c

5
Sample Calculations:

Result:

Inference: