COMPRESSIBLE FLOW ANALYSIS OF

HELIUM AS IT

FLOWS THROUGH A CROSS-SECTIONAL

AREA VARYING DUCT AND SIMULATION

STUDY

By

CHIBUIKE MACNELSON UGOCHIMEREZE

1.0 ABSTRACT

This project presents a comprehensive analysis of compressible flow behavior,

focusing on helium as the working fluid. The study investigates the flow

characteristics within a duct with varying cross-sectional area. Through numerical

simulations, the project explores the impact of changing geometries on helium’s

compressible flow shedding light on critical parameters such as velocity, pressure,

and temperature distributions. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of

compressible flow dynamics and have implications for optimizing duct designs in

various applications.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

According to the National center for biotechnology information, Helium is a

colorless, odorless and inert noble gas. It is the second lightest and second most

abundant element in the universe, often used in various applications such as

cooling in scientific research, medical imaging, and as a lifting gas for balloons.

Helium is nonflammable and is only slightly soluble in water. When shipped as a

liquid it is very cold and will solidify all other gases. Contact with the liquid will

cause severe frostbite. Helium exhibits several unique properties, including its high

latent heat of vaporization, which means it the energy required to convert liquid

helium into a gas is usually large. This property is very important for applications
like cryogenics, where low temperatures are needed. Another property of helium is

buoyancy. This property is applied in industries such as aerospace industry where

helium is used to inflate the pressure vessels on spacecraft. It is also applied in

transportation in vehicles termed “lighter-than-air vehicles” like hot air balloons

and blimps. These vehicles use helium to provide lift, which makes them to float.

2.1 EARLY BEGINNINGS

Helium was first detected as an unknown, yellow spectral line signature in sunlight

during a solar eclipse in 1868 by Georges Rayet, Captain C. T. Haig, Norman R.

Pogson, and Lieutenant John Herschel, and was subsequently confirmed by French

astronomer Jules JanssenIt. Crouch Tom Wings shows in the history of aviation

extends for more than two thousand years, from the earliest forms of aviation such

as kites, hot air balloons and attempts at tower jumping to supersonic and

hypersonic flight by powered, heavier-than-air jets. The first use of helium for

transportation actually dates back to early 1900s when German physicist Count

Ferdinand von Zeppelin began experimenting with using hydrogen gas to inflate

airships. Hydrogen was very flammable, However, so after the Hindenburg disaster

in 1937, the use of hydrogen discontinued. It was not until the 1940s that helium

began to be used as a safer alternative, and by the 1950s, most airships were

powered by helium. It was in the 1960s, However, that the first modern hot air

balloons were created, using a combination of helium and air.

2.2 APPLICATIONS OF HELIUM POWER:

a. Cooling and Lubrication: The cooling effects of helium make it ideal for

use in cryogenic processes, such as liquefaction and refrigeration. It can be

used on large-scale systems like those found in power plants and small-scale

equipment like laboratory freezers.

b. Manufacturing Processes: Helium is beneficial when machining metals

and alloys because it can help reduce material oxidation while remaining

safe for operators at high temperatures.

c. Nuclear Reactors: Nuclear reactors need to cool the reactor core and

prevent radiation from escaping into the atmosphere; helium’s properties

make it an ideal choice for achieving these goals. Helium’s high thermal

conductivity means it can efficiently transfer heat away from the core of a

nuclear reactor by creating convection currents.

3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Helium, a noble gas with unique properties, has garnered considerable attention

across various scientific disciplines.

Helium Properties: Helium’s inert nature, low boiling point and high thermal

conductivity makes it invaluable in various industrial applications. Its lightness

contributes to its use in lifting applications, replacing hydrogen due to its non-

flammable nature.
Helium Sources: Helium is found under the Earth’s crust with other natural gases.

Commercial helium is extracted from natural gas when the helium concentra is

above 0.3%. Helium is a finite resource with concerns about long term

sustainability. Recent studies explore alternative extraction methods, such as

capturing helium from atmosphere or unconventional sources.

Aerospace and Transportation: Helium finds application in aerospace technologies,

contributing to the efficiency and safety of transportation systems. In liquid rocket

propulsion, helium is utilized for pressuring and purging fuel systems, maintaining

stability reliability. Studies and Review of Helium Gas turbine technology by

Suhayb Lateef Sadaa shows how helium can be the working fluid of a light,

pressure and heat resistant turbine of an aircraft and can be used for longer

distances without stopping and burning less fuel and more efficient.

Energy Sector: Helium is not a direct energy source, However, its applications in

cooling and pressurization systems impact energy-related technologies. The

helium-cooled nuclear reactors represent a promising avenue for future energy

exploration.

High Heat Transfer Capabilities: H.Karabulut, C. Çınar, E. Oztürk, H.S. Yücesu in

their research on how helium can be used to power a Stirling engine, explores how

the mass of the working fluid in the working space can be increased. Increase of

working fluid mass requires increase of the inner heat-transfer area or heat-transfer
coefficient of the engine as well and as a result of the higher heat-transfer

capabilities than other fluids, helium is best deployed.

4.0 METHODOLOGY

Figure 1: A cross – sectional varying duct (nozzle)

A helium nozzle is a device used to control the flow of helium gas it’s a simple

piece of equipment that usually consist of a valve and a nozzle. The valve is used

to control the flow of gas, while the nozzle is used to direct the flow of gas into a

specific area. Helium nozzles are commonly used in cryogenics, where they’re

used to cool objects to extremely low temperatures. They’re also used in

manufacturing and scientific research, where they can be used to create a

controlled environment.
The analytical method for steam nozzles is based on the following assumptions:
* The flow is steady and one-dimensional and the flow is isentropic
In order to analyze the flow of steam as it flows through a nozzle various equations
were used.

Where:

V = velocity, A = area, M = mass flow rate, P = Pressure, T = temperature, Ma =

Mach no, To = initial temperature, Po = initial pressure, Gas constant of helium,

R = 2.0769Kj/kg γ = 1.667 constant pressure Cp = 5.1926

( )
γ −1
P
T = To Po γ
for temperature at varying different pressure drop

V = √ 2Cp ( ¿−T ) For velocity at different pressure drop

P
ρ=
RT

C = √ γRT ,
M
A = ρV ,

V
Ma = C

At first drop:
P = 1350 KPa,

( ) ( )
γ −1 1.67−1
P 1350
T = To Po γ
= 573 1500 1.67
= 549 K

V₌ √ 2Cp(¿−T ) = √ 2∗5.1926∗1000(573−549) = 499 m/s

P 1350 k
ρ= = = 1.185 kg/m3 approx 1.19
RT 2.0769 k∗549
 C = √ γRT = √ 1.667∗2.0769∗1000∗549 = 1379 m/s

M 8
A = ρV = 1.185∗499 = 0.0135 m2 =

V 499
Ma = C = 1379 = 0.362 approx 0.36

5.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The table below show the data used for the analytical method of designing the
nozzle at various pressure drops. Necessary calculations are shown below the table.
Necessary solving has been shown above.

S/N Pressure Temperature Velocity (V) Densit SonicVelocit Area Mach no

(KPa) (K) (m/s) y y (C) (m/s) (mm2) M ₌ V
( PPo1 ) V₌√ 2Cp(¿−T ) (kg/m ) C =√ γRT
3
A₌ C
¿
P M
ῥ₌ RT ῥV
1 1500 573 0 1.30 1408.48 ∞ 0

2 1350 549 499 1.19 1378.75 13.47 0.36

3 1200 524 713 1.10 1346.81 10.20 0.53

4 1050 497 888 1.02 1311.71 8.83 0.68

5 900 467 1049 0.93 1271.55 8.20 0.83

6 750 434 1202 0.83 1225.70 8.02 0.98

7 731* 430 1219 0.82 1220.14 8.00 1

8 600 397 1352 0.73 1172.26 8.11 1.15

9 450 354 1508 0.61 1107.11 8.70 1.36

10 300 301 1681 0.48 1020.78 9.92 1.65

 5.1 DISCUSSIONS
From the set of data above, it is observed that there is a gradual decrease in the area. This

shows that the cross-sectional varying duct has a converging and diverging point which is

known as the throat as was shown in the diagram in figure 1.

VELOCITY VS PRESSURE TEMPERATURE VS

2000 PRESSURE
1500 800
VELOCITY VS
PRESSURE TEMPERATURE VS
1000 600 PRESSURE
500 400
0 200
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000

1600
1400
SONIC VEL VS PRESSURE MACH NO VS
1200
PRESSURE
1000 1.6
800 SONIC VEL VS MACH NO VS
PRESSURE 1.2 PRESSURE
600
400 0.8
200 0.4
0
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000
 AREA VS PRESSURE
16
14
12
10 AREA VS PRESSURE
8
6
4
2
0
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

1800

1600

1400

1200
MACH NO
1000 AREA
SONIC VEL
800 DENSITY
VELOCITY
600
TEMPERATURE
400

200

0
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
6.0 CONCLUSIONS / RECOMMENDATION

In summary, the compressible flow analysis of Helium through a duct with varying

cross-sectional area provides valuable insights into the fluid dynamics of the

system. The simulation study has offered a detailed understanding of the pressure,

velocity, and the temperature distribution along the duct. This knowledge is crucial

for optimizing the design and performance of such systems. As helium is

commonly used in various industrial applications, the findings from this analysis

contribute to the efficient and safe utilization of this gas in diverse engineering

scenarios. Further research could explore additional parameters or refine the

simulation model for a more comprehensive analysis.

REFERENCES

1. National center for biotechnology information

2. Rayet, G. (1868) "Analyse spectral des protubérances observées,

pendant l'éclipse totale de Soleil visible le 18 août 1868, à la presqu'île

de Malacca" (Spectral analysis of the protuberances observed during

the total solar eclipse, seen on 18 August 1868, from the Malacca

peninsula)
3. Crouch, Tom (2004). Wings: A History of Aviation from Kites to the

Space Age. New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Co.

4. innovationnewsnetwork.com: Industrial Applications of Helium

5. Suhayb Lateef Sadaa, PhD in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor

Tseligorov preparation, Don State Technical University (DSTU) Rostov

on Don, Russia: Study and Review of Helium Gas Turbine Technology

for High-temperature Pre-cooler Gas

6. Department of Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Technical Education,

Gazi University. H.Karabulut, C. Çınar, E. Oztürk, H.S. Yücesu:

Torque and power characteristics of a helium charged Stirling engine

with a lever controlled displacer driving mechanism.