Steam Nozzles

By,
Prof. M. B. Gohil,
SSASIT, SURAT
 What is nozzle?

• It is a device that used to

1. convert heat energy and pressure energy of steam into kinetic energy.
2. To direct the fluid at a specific angle.

• Its main use is to produce a high velocity jet of steam which is used to
drive a steam turbine.
 Types of nozzles
1. Convergent nozzle: cross section area of nozzle decreases continuously
from inlet to outlet
• Divergent nozzle: cross sectional area of nozzle increases
continuously from inlet to exit.
Convergent-divergent nozzle:
When the cross-section of a nozzle first decreases from its
entrance to throat, and then increases from its throat to
exit, it is called a Convergent–Divergent nozzle.

Portion-1: In the convergent portion steam enters the

nozzle with a high pressure, but with a negligible velocity,
thus there is a drop in the steam pressure with a rise in its
velocity.
• There is also a drop in the enthalpy or total heat of the
steam. This drop of heat is not utilised in joining some
external work, but is converted into kinetic energy.

Portion-2: In the divergent portion there is further drop of

steam pressure with a further rise in its velocity.
• Again, there is a drop in the enthalpy or total heat of
steam, which is converted into kinetic energy.
 Velocity of steam flowing through
a nozzle
Let, = inlet pressure of steam, bar
= inlet velocity of steam, m/s
= inlet specific volume of steam, m3/kg
= enthalpy of steam at inlet, KJ/kg
= inlet internal energy of steam, KJ/kg
= inlet elevation of steam mass, m
w = mechanical work done by nozzle, KJ/kg
q = heat supplied to nozzle , KJ/kg
, , , , , and are corresponding to outlet condition.
 Velocity of steam flowing through a
nozzle
• Applying the principal of conservation of energy,
Energy entering into the nozzle = Energy leaving the nozzle

+ + +g ………………….(1)

• We know that enthalpy,

• Now Eq. (1) becomes, +g=+

• In nozzle, the change in potential energy is negligible, i.e. =

 Velocity of steam flowing through a
nozzle
+ =+

• Heat is not supplied to the nozzle i.e. q=0 and there is no mechanical work done
by nozzle i.e. w=0 so,

=+
= (-) +

• From this eq. we can say that the gain in K.E. between any two section of nozzle is
equal to loss of enthalpy.
 Velocity of steam flowing through a
nozzle
• If inlet velocity of steam to nozzle is negligible (=0), then

m/s

= 44.72 m/s

• In actual practice, there is always a certain amount of fraction present between

the steam and nozzle surface.
• This reduces the heat drop by 10 to 15 percent and thus the exit velocity of steam
is also reduced corresponding.
• If flow is with friction, then with friction condition value of () will be taken.
 Friction in a nozzle and Nozzle efficiency
• When the steam flows through a nozzle the final velocity of steam for
a given pressure drop is reduced due to following reasons:

• Friction between nozzle surface and steam.

• Internal friction of steam itself.

• The shock losses.

 h-s (Enthalpy-Entropy) diagram for
nozzle efficiency
h
1
h1 T1
P1
h1-h2` = (C2`2 - C12)/2 = Actual heat drop
h2` 2’
h2 2
P2
h1-h2= (C22-C12)/2 = Isentropic heat drop

s
Nozzle efficiency
Mass flow rate of steam through the
nozzle
• Consider the isentropic flow of steam through a nozzle.

= initial pressure of steam, N/

= specific volume of steam at pressure , /kg
= initial steam velocity, m/s
= cross sectional area of nozzle at outlet,

=corresponding to outlet condition.

Mass flow rate of steam through the
nozzle
• The isentropic flow of steam through the nozzle may approximately be
represented by equation.
p = constant = c
where, n = 1.135 for dry and saturated steam, and
= 1.3 for superheated steam.
• For wet steam, the value of n can be calculated by Zenner's equation,
n= 1.035 +0.1x, where x is initial dryness fraction of steam.

• These value of n are approximate only, actually the value of n varies during the
expansion.
Mass flow rate of steam through the
nozzle

The gain in kinetic energy of fluid flowing through the nozzle is given by,
Gain in Kinetic energy = Adiabatic heat drop
= Work dine during cycle
If expansion of steam is from rest i.e
 Mass flow rate of steam through the
nozzle
Substituting the valve of C2 and v2 into eq. (1),
But,

From the continuity equation the mass of steam in kg per second

through the cross section area A2 and pressure p2 is given by,
This is a very important relation which gives mass flow
rate in kg/s

……………. (1)
 Example 1:
• A Nozzle expands stream from 12 bar and 250 oC to 6 bar.
Is the Nozzle convergent or convergent - divergent (C-D) ?
Neglecting the initial velocity. Find the minimum area of
the nozzle to flow 2 kg/s of steam under given conditions.
Assume the expansion of steam is isentropic. Calculate
the actual throat area if the co-efficient of discharge is
0.98.
Solution 1
• Given Data:
Critical Pressure at throat = (
P1 = 12 bar P= 6 bar
T1= 250 0C
m = 2 kg/s P2 = P1 * (
A2 = ?
(A2)act. = ? So, P2 = 12 * (

Cd = 0.98
P2 = 6.55 bar

=?
Here, 6.55 bar > 6 bar,
So, 6.55 bar =P2 is a throat pressure
And 6 bar= P3 is a back pressure / discharge pressure

So, Nozzle is convergent-divergent (C-D) Nozzle

• From Mollier chart
h1= 2930 kJ/Kg (at P1=12 bar and 250 0C)
h2= 2810 KJ/kg (at P2= 6.55 bar)
v2 = 0.350 m /kg
3
T2 = 180 0C and
Now, Velocity at throat is given by,
C2= 44.72 *
C2= 44.72 *
C2 = 489.88 m/s
Now , The minimum area is given by A2C2 = mv2 (continuity equation)
2∗ 0.350
489.88 = 1.429*10-3 m2 A2= 14.29 cm2
A=2
Actual throat Area is given by,
14.29
(A2)Actual = = 14.581 cm2
0.98
Example 2:
• A steam nozzle is to be designed for a mass flow rate of 8
kg/s of steam from 8 bar and 350 oC to a back pressure of
1 bar. The nozzle efficiency is 0.93 and the frictional loss
is assumed to take place in the diverging portion of the
nozzle only. Determine the throat and exit area.
Solution 2 From Mollier Chart at P1= 8 bar and T1 = 3500C
• Given Data:
h1= 3160 kJ/Kg
m = 8 kg/s
From Mollier Chart at P2= 4.366 bar
P1 = 8 bar
h2=2990kJ/Kg
T1= 350 0C
P3= 1 bar T2=265 0C

Ƞn = 0.93 v2=0.485 m3/Kg

• Throat Area A2= =
A 2= ? From Mollier Chart at P3= 1 bar
A 3= ? h3=2710 kJ/Kg
= 0.545 P2= 0.545*8 • A2= 6.654*10-3 m2 =66.54 cm2
P2= 4.366 bar
Now, Velocity at throat is given by,
C2= 44.72 *
C2= 44.72 *
C2= 583.077 m/s
• Now, Nozzle efficiencyȠn =

0.93 =
So, = 2741.51 kJ/kg

• The actual exit velocity (C3’) = 44.72 *

= 44.72 *
C3’= 914.85 m/s
From Mollier Chart at point 3’ (h3’ = 2741.51)
V3’ = 1.7 m3/kg

• Actual exit Area A3’= = = 0.01486 m2

A3’= 148.6 cm2

 Example 3:
• A steam turbine develops 185 KW with a consumption of
16.5 kg/hr. The pressure and temp. of steam entering the
nozzle are 12 bar and 220 oC respectively. The steam
leaves the nozzle at 1.2 bar. If the diameter of the nozzle
at throat is 7 mm, find the minimum no. of Nozzles
required.
Solution 3 From Mollier Chart at P1= 12 bar and T1 = 2200C
• Given Data:
h1= 2860 kJ/Kg
P= 185 KW
From Mollier Chart at P2= 6.548 bar
ms= 16.5 kg/kwh
h2=2750kJ/Kg
P1= 12 bar
T1 = 2200C x2=0.992

P3= 1.2 bar vfg2=0.3 m3/Kg

• Throat Area(A2) = =
D2= 7 mm = m Specific volume V2 = x2*vfg2
No. of nozzles= ? V2 =0.992*0.3
For superheated steam, A2= 38.5*10-6 m2
V2 =0.297 m3/kg
Throat pressure given by,
P2= 0.545*12
= 0.545
Now, Velocity at throat is given by,
P2= 6.548 bar
C2= 44.72 *
C2= 44.72 *
C2= 470 m/s
 Now , The flow rate per nozzle is given by m = 38.5∗10 −6 ∗470
0.2877
m= 0.0607 kg/s

Total mass flow rate = 16.5 / * 185 kw

=

Total mass flow rate = 0.848 kg/s

No. of nozzles= =

𝟏𝟑.𝟗𝟔≈𝟏𝟒
 Example 4:
• The throat diameter of round sectional nozzle is 0.6 cm.
steam with an initial pressure of 10 bar and with 80 oC of
superheat is to be expanded down to the back pressure
of 1.1 bar, what is its mass flow rate and exit velocity?
What is the angle of cone used for diverging portion of
the nozzle, if the length of diverging portion is 5 cm?
Solution 4 From Steam table at P1= 10 bar ,
• Given Data: T sat = 179.9 0C
So degree of superheat =Tsup–Tsat
P1= 10 bar
80= Tsup-179.9 0C
Degree of superheat = 80 C 0

P3= 1.05 bar Tsup= 259.9 0C 260 0C

From Mollier Chart at P1= 10 bar and T1 = 260 0C
D2= 0.6 cm = m
h1= 2960 kJ/Kg
m= ?
From Mollier Chart at P2= 5.45 bar Throat velocity C2 is given by
C 3= ? h2=2830 kJ/Kg C2= 44.72 *

2Ɵ=?
L= 5 cm = v2=0.43 m3/Kg C2= 44.72 *
From Mollier Chart at P3=1.05 bar
h3=2530 KJ/kg C2 = 509.88 m/s
= 0.545 P2= 0.545*10
x3=0.94
P2= 5.45 bar Vfg3= 1.6 m3/kg
v3= X3* Vfg3 = 0.94*1.6 m3/Kg
v3= 1.504 m3/Kg
Now , The minimum area is given by m=
= =

m= 0.0335 kg/s

Exit velocity C3 is given by

C3= 44.72 * Exit Area (A3)=
C2= 44.72 *
5.5*10-5 =
C2 = 927.33 m/s D3 = 8.368*10-3 m
D3 = 8.368*10-1 cm
Exit area is given by, A3= D3 = 0.836 cm tanƟ = 0.02368

= tanƟ = Ɵ = tan-(0.02368)
Ɵ = 1.356 0
2Ɵ = 2.712 0
A3= 5.5*10-5 m2
tanƟ =