Isentropic expansion waves explained

In fluid dynamics, isentropic expansion waves are created when a supersonic flow is redirected along a curved surface. These waves are studied to obtain a relation between deflection angle and Mach number. Each wave in this case is a Mach wave, so it is at an angle

\alpha=\sin-1\tfrac{1}{M},

where is the Mach number immediately before the wave. Expansion waves are divergent because as the flow expands the value of Mach number increases, thereby decreasing the Mach angle.

In an isentropic wave, the speed changes from to, with deflection . We have oriented the coordinate system orthogonal to the wave. We write the basic equations (continuity, momentum and the first and second laws of thermodynamics) for this infinitesimal control volume.

Relation between θ, M and v

Assumptions:

  1. Steady flow.
  2. Negligible body forces.
  3. Adiabatic flow.
  4. No work terms.
  5. Negligible gravitational effect.

The continuity equation is\frac\int\limits_\rho dV + \int\limits_\rho \bar v \, d\bar A = 0 \qquad\qquad (1.1)

First term is zero by assumption (1). Now, + = 0which can be rewritten as\rho v \sin\alpha = (\rho + d\rho)(v + dv) \sin(\alpha - d\theta) \qquad\qquad (1.2)

Now we consider the momentum equation for normal and tangential to shock. For -component, F_ + F_ = \frac\int\limits_v_y\rho dV + \int\limits_v_y\rho \bar v \, d\bar A \qquad\qquad (1.3)

Second term of L.H.S and first term of R.H.S are zero by assumption (2) and (1) respectively. Then,

0 = v\cos\alpha(-\rho v \sin\alpha A) + (v+dv)\cos(\alpha - d\theta)

Or using equation 1.1 (continuity),v\cos\alpha = (v+dv) \cos(\alpha - d\theta)

Expanding and simplifying [Using the facts that, to the first order, in the limit as <math>d\theta\rightarrow 0</math>, <math>\cos{d\theta}\rightarrow 1</math> and <math>\sin {d\theta}\rightarrow d\theta</math>], we obtain

d\theta=\frac

But, \sin\alpha=\frac

so, \tan\alpha=\frac

andd\theta = -\frac \qquad\qquad (1.4)

Derivation of Prandtl-Meyer supersonic expansion function

We skip the analysis of the -component of the momentum and move on to the first law of thermodynamics, which is

\dot - \dot_s - \dot_ - \dot_ = \frac \int\limits_e\rho dV + \int\limits_ h\rho \bar v.d\bar A \qquad\qquad (1.5)

First term of L.H.S, next three terms of L.H.S and first term of R.H.S are zero due to assumption (3), (4) and (1) respectively.

where,e = u + \frac + gz

For our control volume we obtain

0 = \left(h + \frac\right) (-\rho v \sin \alpha A) + \left[(h + dh) + \frac{(v + dv)^2}{2}\right]\bigl((\rho + d\rho)(v+dv)\sin(\alpha - d\theta)A \bigr)

This may be simplified as

= (h + dh) + \frac

Expanding and simplifying in the limit to first order, we get

dh = -vdv

If we confine to ideal gases,

dh=cpdT

, so

c_p dT = -vdv \qquad\qquad (1.6)

Above equation relates the differential changes in velocity and temperature. We can derive a relation between

M

and

v

using

v=Mc=M\sqrt{kRT}</Math>.Differentiating(anddividingthelefthandsideby<math>v

and the right by

\sqrt{kRT}

),

\frac = \frac + \frac

Using equation (1.6)

\begin \frac &= \frac - \frac \\[2pt] &= \frac - \frac \\[2pt] &= \frac - \frac \\[2pt] &= \frac - \frac \\[2pt] &= \frac - \frac\end

Hence,

\frac = \frac\frac \qquad\qquad (1.7)

Combining (1.4) and (1.7)

\frac = -\frac\frac \qquad\qquad (1.8)

We generally apply the above equation to negative

d\theta

, let

d\omega=d\theta

. We can integrate this between the initial and final Mach numbers of given flow, but it will be more convenient to integrate from a reference state, the critical speed (

M=1

) to Mach number

M

, with

\omega

arbitrarily set to zero at

M=1

,

\int\limits_0^\omega d\omega = \int\limits_1^M \frac\frac

Leading to Prandtl-Meyer supersonic expansion function,

\omega = \sqrt \tan^\left[\frac{\sqrt{k-1}}{\sqrt{k+1}}(M^2-1)\right] - \tan^(M^2 - 1)

References

[1]

Notes and References

  1. 'Introduction to Fluid Mechanics' by Robert W. Fox, Philip J. Pritchard and Alan T. McDonald