Q1)
Explain the working of a ramjet engine with the help of a sketch. What
are its advantages, disadvantage and applications?
Solution
RAMJET ENGINES
A ramjet engine, is a form of jet engine using the engine’s forward
motion to compress incoming air, without a rotary compressor as
shown in Fig. 28.3. Therefore, ramjet requires forward motion through
the air to produce thrust
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING
A ramjet engine consists of supersonic and subsonic diffusers, a
combustion chamber and a discharge nozzle. The atmospheric air first
enters the supersonic diffuser and then subsonic diffuser, in which the
kinetic energy of air entering is converted into static pressure, which is
called ram pressure. The rammed air then enters into the combustion
chamber, where fuel is injected and combustion takes place with the
help of fuel burners. The air temperature is raised by continuous
combustion of fuel. The hot combustion gases then expand in the
exhaust nozzles with a velocity exceeding the velocity of air entering.
Thus, due to change of momentum of working fluid, a thrust is
developed in the direction of flight. The ramjet engine cannot operate
under static conditions, as there will be no pressure rise in the diffuser
and it is not self-operating at zero flight velocity. The cycle pressure
ratio of a ramjet engine depends on its flight velocity. Higher the flight
velocity, larger the ram pressure and consequently, larger the thrust.
ADVANTAGES
The features of the ramjet engine are as follows:
1. Its fuel consumption is too high at low and moderate speeds.
2. Its fuel consumption decreases with flight speed and approaches
reasonable value, when the flight Mach number is between 2 and 4.
Thus, it is suitable for propelling supersonic missiles.
3. It has no moving part and hence is light in weight
Q 2) Explain the working of a turbojet engine with the help of a sketch.
Solution
A turbojet engine works by compressing air, mixing it with fuel, burning
the mixture, and then passing the hot air through a turbine and nozzle
to produce thrust:
Here's how a turbojet engine works:
Inlet
Air is drawn into the engine through the inlet. The inlet's design is
important at high speeds to direct airflow to the compressor while
minimizing drag and shock waves.
Compression
The air is compressed by passing through a low-pressure compressor
and then a high-pressure compressor. This increases the air's pressure
and temperature.
Combustion
The compressed air is mixed with fuel in the combustor and ignited. The
burning fuel heats and expands the air, adding energy to the exhaust
stream.
Turbine
The turbine is driven by the exhaust gases from the combustor. The
turbine's power is used to turn the compressor.
Nozzle
The hot air passes through the nozzle, where it expands and accelerates
to high speed, producing thrust.
Afterburner
For supersonic flight, an afterburner can be added to increase
thrust. The afterburner injects additional fuel into the hot exhaust gas
flow, which further increases the temperature and exit velocity.
Turbojets are often used on military aircraft. However, turbofan engines
are more efficient and quieter than turbojets for sub-mach speeds, so
they are often used instead.
Q 3) State the differences between a propeller engine and jet engine.
Q 4)Explain briefly with a sketch the working principle of a rocket
Solution
A rocket or rocket vehicle (shown in Fig. 28.20) is a missile, which
obtains thrust by the reaction from the ejection of fast-moving exhaust
fluid from arocket engine. They are not suitable for low-speed
use. As compared to other propulsion systems,they are very light in
weight and powerful, capable of generating large accelerations and of
attaining extremely high speeds with reasonable efficiency.
A rocket is a non-air-breathing engine and it has a few moving parts. It
consists of a combustion
chamber and exhaust nozzle. It carries fuel and oxidiser (such as liquid
oxygen) on the board of
the craft. The fuel and oxidiser react chemically in the combustion
chamber and then high-pressure
combustion gases act as rocket propellant.
These gases expand through the nozzles, and are accelerated to
extremely high speed to exert a large
reactive thrust on the rocket (since every action has an equal and
opposite reaction)
OPERATIONS
The rockets, which use solid fuels and oxidisers are known as solid
propellant rockets. A solid propellant rocket consists of a star-shaped
combustion chamber, propellant and an expansion nozzle. The solid fuel
and oxidiser are mixed in a single propellant and is packed inside the
shell as shown in Fig. A liner is provided between shell and propellant in
order to protect the shell against high temperature.
An ignitor, which is a detonator or fuse containing a highly reactive
explosive material is used to start the burning of the propellant. The
burning occurs with rapid decomposition of propellant and heat
release. The generated combustion products are discharged through
the nozzle with very high velocity. Thus, a reactive thrust is developed
and the rocket is propelled in forward direction. Once the heat is
produced, it sustains the combustion without any ignitor. The burning
rate depends upon the pressure of the chamber and incrseases with an
increase in pressure.
A liquid propellant rocket consists of a fuel tank, an oxidizer tank, fuel
pump, oxidizer pump, injector, steam turbine, preheater, a combustion
chamber, various control valves and an expanding nozzle as shown in
Fig. The fuel and oxidizer are stored at very low temperature
The fuel and oxidizer are pumped separately into the mixing chamber
through valves, where the mixture is preheated to a suitable
temperature. Then the preheated fuel oxidizer mixture is injected into
the combustion chmber, where the mixture is ignited by an electric
torch. The pumps are driven by a steam turbine. The steam is produced
by mixing a very high concentrated hydrogen paraoxide with potassium
permanganate. The high-pressure and high-temperature combustion
products are discharged through the nozzle with a high supersonic exit
velocity. The high velcity exhaust propels the rocket in the forward
direction.
Q5) What is a propellant? How are propellants classified? Give
examples
Solutions
PROPELLANTS
Solid Propellants
Two types of solid propellants are used in rockets. These are the
following.
HOMOGENOUS PROPELLANTS
These are mixture of organic substances like nitroglycereine, cellulose,
nitrates, etc. The compounds act as a plastic and give a fuel of colloidal
charecteristic. Additives are added to impart stability of combustion and
freedom from ageing. Characteristics of a homogeneous propellant are
as follows: 1. These are plastic in nature. 2. They contain very high
viscosity. 3. They appear smooth and waxy. 4. These can be made in
required shape by casting and extrusion.
HETROGENOUS PROPELLANTS
These are also called composite propellants. For hetrogeneous solid
propellants, nitrates, potassium and perchlorates are used as oxidisers
and polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are used as fuel along with some
additives to regulate the burning rate. Characteristics of a
heterogeneous propellants are as follows:
1. They are difficult to cast
2 .They have high oxidiser content.
3. The exhaust has high density.
4. Mechanical properties of a propellant depends on the nature of the
binder
DESIRABLE PROPERTIES
1. The chemical reaction between fuel and oxidser during combustion
must release a large amount of heat energy, giving higher combustion
temperature and specific impulse.
2. The physical and chemical properties should not change during
combustion.
3. The propellant must have lower molecular weight, higher density.
4. It should be non-corrosive, non-poisonous and hazardous.
5. The propellant should be chemically inert.
6. The product of combustion should be smokeless and colourless
ADVANTAGES
1. More flexible and greater control over the propellant supplied and
thus control on thrust developed
. 2. Propellants are not stored in a combustion chamber.
3. It gives high specific impulse.
4. It is much easier to stop the operation to avoid a catastrophe.
5. Auxiliary power plant can easily be operated.