Design of Minimum Length Supersonic Nozzle using the Method of Characteristics

Abstract

The work focuses upon design of minimum length supersonic nozzle, using the method of characteristics, for the given combustion chamber conditions, which are going to serve as nozzle inlet conditions. It is assumed that the flow has somehow been accelerated to the sonic value through a suitable convergent nozzle and from that point; the divergent portion of the nozzle is to be designed using the method of characteristics. The optimum exit area and hence, the Mach number are predicted and this Mach number is the value for which the nozzle has to be designed. The results obtained are validated with the results obtained by validation in ANSYS and based on the observation, followed by a discussion on the optimisation of results.