Ramjet Engine

Principle of operation
● The function of a supersonic and subsonic diffuser is to convert the kinetic
energy of the entering air into a pressure rise called ram pressure.
● The ramjet engine produces power by increasing the momentum of the working
fluid, i.e. air.
● In contrast to the other air-breathing engines, the working cycle is done without
compressor and turbine, and also without any need for enclosed combustion
● Ramjet engine is mechanically the least complicated air-breathing jet engine for
thrust production for flying vehicles.
Ramjet Engine
•Ramjet is the simplest of all the airbreathing engines.

•It consists of a diffuser, combustion chamber and a nozzle.

•Ramjets are most efficient when operated at supersonic speeds.

•When air is decelerated from a high Mach number to a low subsonic Mach
number, it results in substantial increase in pressure and temperature.

•Hence ramjets do not need compressors and consequently no turbines as well.

 Ramjet Engine
● Ramjets apply compression to the air by ram compression at very high speeds
(M>2.0).
● All the compression is done in the diffusing (ram) process.
● This restricts the use of ramjet to only supersonic speeds. No Take off, Landing
possible.
● At very high Mach numbers (>5.0) the shocks in the intake produce large losses
that restricts the actual performance of the engine.
● After the diffusion in Intake, fuel is injected into the stream in the combustion zone.
Ramjet Engine
● The high temperature and high pressure gas is expanded through a nozzle, -
to a supersonic flow at the exit.
● The mixture of air and burned fuel is exhausted through a convergent-
divergent (C-D) nozzle.
● Exit pressure (Pe) is same as or nearly same as the ambient pressure.
● Thus the choking pressure (Pc) at the throat is higher than the ambient
pressure (Pa).
Typical Ramjet Engine
Ramjet Engine
Brayton Cycle
Ideal ramjet cycle on a T-s diagram

a-2: isentropic compression in the

intake
2-4: combustion at constant
pressure
4-7: Isentropic expansion through
the nozzle
Contd..
● In an ideal ramjet cycle, there are no irreversibilities
considered.
● Therefore there are no pressure drops or efficiencies of
the components comprising a ramjet.
● If we assume complete expansion in the nozzle, P a=P7=Pe
● We shall use the isentropic relations to determine the
variation of pressure and temperature in the intake and
nozzle.
Actual T-S Diagram
● The actual cycle, has strong
irreversibilities in the form of large
pressure losses, practically at every
step of the flow processes. (Fig.)
● As shown in the diagram the diffusion
process is adiabatic but irreversible
(large total pressure losses)
● The heat addition in the combustion
chamber is accompanied (total)
pressure loss.