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1.3 PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF A LIQUID PROPELLANT ROCKET ENGINE

The performance of a rocket engine is expressed by a quantity commonly called "specific impulse," IsI_{s}. If impulse imparted to the vehicle and propellant weight consumption were measured during a given time interval, IsI_{s} would have the dimension lbsec/lb\mathrm{lb}-\mathrm{sec} / \mathrm{lb}. In practice, thrust is usually measured, in conjunction with propellant weight flow-rate measurements. This yields the same dimension: 1 b/(lb/sec)1 \mathrm{~b} /(\mathrm{lb} / \mathrm{sec}). ISI_{S} may thus be expressed as

IS=F/W˙\begin{equation*} I_{\mathrm{S}}=F / \dot{W} \tag{1-28} \end{equation*}

Since weight is the force exerted by a mass on its rigid support under the influence of gravitation (by convention at sea level on Earth), it has become accepted practice to measure IsI_{s} in "seconds," by canceling out the terms for the forces. Obviously, the expression does not denote a time, but rather a magnitude akin to efficiency. ISI_{S} directly contributes to the final velocity of the vehicle at burnout and thus has a pronounced effect on range or size of payload, or both. This will be shown further below in connection with equation (1-30).

It is important to state whether a specific impulse quoted refers to the thrust chamber assembly only (Is)tc\left(I_{s}\right)_{t c}, or to the overall engine system ( Is)oa\left.I_{s}\right)_{\mathrm{oa}}. Often, the distinction may not be selfevident. It is important, therefore, to state accurately to what system the quoted specific impulse refers. For instance, in a turbopump fed system, overall engine specific impulse may include turbine power requirements, vernier, and attitude control devices. All of these may be fed from one or all of a given vehicle's propellant tanks. If they are properly considered, the user, in this case the vehicle builder, will obtain the correct value for his own optimization studies, which include propellant tank sizes, payload weight, and range, among other parameters.

In many instances, statement of the specific impulse (Is)tc\left(I_{s}\right)_{t c} for the thrust chamber only may be desirable, such as during the component development period of this subassembly. Since, in that case, those propellant demands which are inadequately or not at all contributing to the generation of thrust are not included, the specific impulse stated will be higher than for a complete system, by 1 to 2 percent, as a rule. The specific impulse thus stated would be too high for the vehicle builder, who must consider the supply of propellants to the auxiliary devices mentioned above as well. If, due to improper identification of IsI_{s}, a thrust chamber value were used as an engine value, the consequences would be serious. This becomes clear, if one realizes that when relying on a better-than-actual value, propellant tank sizes would be designed too small, resulting in premature propellant depletion. This would eliminate the last seconds of required burning time, when the vehicle mass being accelerated is near empty weight and acceleration, therefore, is near maximum. A substantial loss of range for a given payload would result. The situation would be further complicated by the fact that it is nearly impossible to improve the specific impulse once an engine and thrust chamber have been designed, for a given propellant combination.

Another important performance parameter is the propellant mass fraction RpR_{p} of the complete vehicle, of which the engine system is a part. The propellant mass fraction is defined as

Rp= Usable propellant mass  Initial rocket mass \begin{equation*} R_{p}=\frac{\text { Usable propellant mass }}{\text { Initial rocket mass }} \tag{1-29} \end{equation*}

where the initial rocket mass is equal to the sum of the masses of the engine system at burnout, the structure and guidance system, the payload, and the propellant. The significance of the propellant mass fraction can be illustrated by the basic equation for the rocket burnout velocity vbo (ft/sec)v_{\text {bo }}(\mathrm{ft} / \mathrm{sec})

vbo=Cvcg(IS)oaln11Rp\begin{equation*} v_{\mathrm{bo}}=C_{\mathrm{vc}} \cdot g\left(I_{S}\right)_{\mathrm{oa}} \ln \frac{1}{1-R_{p}} \tag{1-30} \end{equation*}

where the coefficient Cvc C_{\text {vc }} corrects for the effects of aerodynamic and gravitational forces. It is composed of several parameters which vary with type of trajectory and with elapsed time during flight. Although they are of no concern here, they are of great importance to the vehicle builder. Also, they cannot be neglected for rigorous engine design analyses which must include trajectory information.

Thrust Chamber Specific Impulse (IS)tc\left(I_{S}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}

The overall performance of the liquid propellant thrust chamber is a direct function of the propellant combination, the combustion efficiency of propellants in the chamber, and the product gas expansion performance in the nozzle. The expression for (Is)tc\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}} may be obtained in several ways:

From equation 1-28:

(Is)tc=FWtc\begin{equation*} \left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}=\frac{F}{W_{\mathrm{tc}}} \tag{1-31} \end{equation*}

Combine equations 1-31 and 1-7:

(ls)tc=cg\begin{equation*} \left(l_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}=\frac{c}{g} \tag{1-31a} \end{equation*}

The effective exhaust velocity cc may be further defined as the product of two convenient parameters, cc^{*} and CtC_{t}

c=cCf\begin{equation*} c=c^{*} C_{f} \tag{1-31b} \end{equation*}

where the characteristic velocity c* in feet per second (commonly pronounced "cee-star") is a parameter primarily used to rate the propellant combustion performance. The thrust coefficient CfC_{f} is a dimensionless parameter used to measure the gas expansion performance through the nozzle. Combine equations 1-31a and 1-31b:

(Is)tc=cCtg\begin{equation*} \left(I_{s}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}=\frac{c^{*} C_{t}}{g} \tag{1-31c} \end{equation*}

While IsI_{s} and RpR_{p} are of ultimate importance to the missile or space vehicle builder, both cc^{*} and CfC_{f} are of great and early importance to the engine and thrust chamber designer and developer.

Characteristic Velocity c*

In a system with sonic velocity at the throat, the quantity cc * reflects the effective energy level of the propellants and the design quality of injector and combustion chamber. It may be defined by the following expression:

c=(pc)nsAιgW˙tc\begin{equation*} c^{*}=\frac{\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} A_{\iota} g}{\dot{W}_{\mathrm{tc}}} \tag{1-32} \end{equation*}

This form shows that cc * measures combustion performance in a given combustion chamber by indicating how many pounds per second of propellant must be burned to maintain the required nozzle stagnation pressure. A lower value of propellant consumption W˙\dot{W} under the given condition indicates a combustion process of higher energy and efficiency and gives a corresponding higher value of cc^{*}. By substituting W˙tc\dot{W}_{t c} with equation 1-19 in equation 1-32, the equation for theoretical cc * may be rewritten in the following form:

c=gγR(Tc)ns[2γ+1]γ+1γ1\begin{equation*} c^{*}=\frac{\sqrt{g \gamma R\left(T_{\mathrm{c}}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}}}{\sqrt{\left[\frac{2}{\gamma+1}\right]^{\frac{\gamma+1}{\gamma-1}}}} \tag{1-32a} \end{equation*}

This form shows that cc^{*} is a function of the properties of the combustion product gas at the exit of the combustion chamber, i.e., at the nozzle inlet; namely, specific heat ratio γ\gamma, gas constant RR, and temperature (Tc)ns\left(T_{c}\right)_{n s}.

Thrust Coefficient CfC_{f}

The quantity CfC_{f} reflects the product gas expansion properties and design quality of the nozzle. Combining equations 1-31, 1-31c, and 1-32, the expression for theoretical CfC_{f} may be written as:

Cf=FAt(pc)ns\begin{equation*} C_{f}=\frac{F}{A_{t}\left(p_{\mathrm{c}}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}} \tag{1-33} \end{equation*}

This form shows that CfC_{f} measures the force augmented by the gas expansion through the nozzle as compared with the force which would be generated if the chamber pressure acted over the throat area only. By combining equations 161-6, 1-18, 1-19, and 1-33, the equation for theoretical CtC_{t} at any altitude may be rewritten in the following form:

Cf=2γ2γ1[2γ+1]γ+1γ1[1(pe(pc)ns)γ1γ]+ϵ[pepa(pc)ns](1-33a)\begin{array}{r} C_{f}=\sqrt{\frac{2 \gamma^{2}}{\gamma-1}\left[\frac{2}{\gamma+1}\right]^{\frac{\gamma+1}{\gamma-1}}\left[1-\left(\frac{p_{e}}{\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}}\right)^{\frac{\gamma-1}{\gamma}}\right]} \\ +\epsilon\left[\frac{p_{e}-p_{\mathrm{a}}}{\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}}\right] \tag{1-33a} \end{array}

Equation 1-33a shows that CfC_{f} is a function of specific heat ratio γ\gamma, chamber pressure (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}, ambient pressure pap_{\mathrm{a}}, and the nozzle area expansion ratio ϵ\epsilon.

As will be noted, the throat stagnation pressure (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{n s} has been used in equations (1-32) and (1-33). This has been the practice in industry and in most of the literature. Briefly, the reason is that (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{n s} reflects the true theoretical gas property at combustion chamber exit, i.e., at the nozzle inlet, and gives a more logical value to cc^{*} and CfC_{f}. In actual operation the true value of (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} cannot be measured. (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} is mathematically converted from the measured value of the gas static pressure at the injector, pinj p_{\text {inj }}. The accuracy of this calculated value has to be verified by the test results. Likewise, the gas properties, and thus the specific heat ratio γ\gamma which additionally changes along the chamber axis, affect the true values of cc^{*} and CfC_{f}. This will have to be verified by actual test results.

To understand better the nature of Cf\mathrm{C}_{f} and the design parameters which influence it, let us first rearrange equation (1-33):

F=(pc)nsAtCt\begin{equation*} F=\left(p_{\mathrm{c}}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} \cdot A_{t} \cdot C_{t} \tag{1-34} \end{equation*}

The formula expresses that the thrust generated by a thrust chamber (the effect) is produced by pressure (the cause) as a function of the physical properties of the chamber itself. The relationships and effects of the principal design parameters become clearer if we proceed in steps as follows:

Assume we wish to generate a certain thrust FF. Our chamber is a straight cylinder (fig. 1-7). The pressure in this chamber has a very small effect on the cylindrical wall (the forces normal to the chamber axis will cancel each other), except for effects of friction, which we will neglect. There is no part of the chamber for the pressure to act upon at the exit. The only chamber area upon which the pressure can act is the injector plate. Since, for the cylindrical chamber, the injector area AiA_{i} is equal to AtA_{t}, we can write:

Fcyl =pinj At\begin{equation*} F_{\text {cyl }}=p_{\text {inj }} \cdot A_{t} \tag{1-35} \end{equation*}

For the reasons explained above, we rewrite to include (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} :

Fcyl =(pc)ns AtCf1\begin{equation*} F_{\text {cyl }}=\left(p_{c}\right)_{\text {ns }} \cdot A_{t} \cdot C_{f_{1}} \tag{1-36} \end{equation*}

Since (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} is smaller than pinjp_{\mathrm{inj}} (fig. 1-4), the

Figure 1-7

coefficient Cf1C_{f_{1}} is introduced to correct for this fact. For instance, if the ratio (pc)ns/pinj \left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} / p_{\text {inj }} was found to be 0.8 from figure 14,Cf11-4, C_{f_{1}} would have to be 1.25 to offset the introduction of (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}. As will be seen, the use of a thrust coefficient of 1.25 , for instance, in a straight cylinder thrust chamber for which (pc)ns/pinj \left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} / p_{\text {inj }} is 0.8 , is merely part of a mathematical rearrangement, but does not signify an increase in thrust for a given Pinj.

It is noted that the combustion chamber including injector will have to produce the required pressure (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} with a flow rate, the magnitude of which is determined by cc^{*} and by the throat area AtA_{t}. Transformation of equation (1-32) shows the relationship:

(pc)ns=W˙icc1Atg\begin{equation*} \left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}=\dot{W}_{\mathrm{ic}} \cdot c^{*} \cdot \frac{1}{A_{t} \cdot g} \tag{1-37} \end{equation*}

In actual practice, the value of cc^{*} for a given propellant combination and thrust chamber design is arrived at tentatively from existing experience and is subsequently refined during development testing.

Let us now redesign our cylindrical thrust chamber, as shown in figure 1-8. Maintaining the same throat area At=AeA_{t}=A_{e}, we enlarge the combustion chamber including injector to a diameter somewhat larger than that of AtA_{t}. The flow rate remains W˙tc. \dot{W}_{\text {tc. }}

In the straight cylindrical chamber (fig. 1-7), the gas velocity was sonic at the end of the cylindrical chamber portion, which coincided with AtA_{t} and AeA_{e}. From earlier discussions (see sec. 1-2), we know that expansion (acceleration) is nonisentropic in that case. In the redesigned chamber (fig. 1-8) by contrast, gas velocities are still well below sonic velocity at the end of the cylindrical portion. Most of the acceleration to sonic velocity will now occur in the added, convergent nozzle. Since we can make the assumption, which is essentially correct, that the combustion process is complete at the end of the cylindrical chamber portion, the subsequent expansion (acceleration) in the convergent nozzle is assumed to be isentropic; i.e., to occur without further total pressure losses. Since we keep W˙tc \dot{W}_{\text {tc }} and AtA_{t} constant, and assume that cc^{*} remains unchanged, the nozzle stagnation pressure (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{n s}, too, will retain the same value as in

Figure 1-8

the case of the straight cylindrical chamber. However, because of the reduced pressure losses in the combustion chamber, the required total pressure at the injector end will definitely be lower.

The redesign, then, has the favorable result that, for instance, in pressurized systems, the same propellant flow rate can be sustained with lower tank pressures, thus, slightly lighter tanks can be used. In turbopump-fed systems, required turbopump horsepower will decrease. However, the forces acting upon the thrust chamber, and thus the developed thrust, can be assumed to have remained unchanged, since a lower pressure acts upon the larger injector, and since opposing forces are present at the converging nozzle.

In short, it may be stated that our redesign (fig. 1-8) results in reduced demands on the propellant feed system for the same W˙tc \dot{W}_{\text {tc }} and the same thrust level.

We now proceed to further redesign the chamber to include a divergent nozzle section, as in figure 1-9. Up to the throat area, nothing changes over the preceding configuration, which includes a convergent nozzle only. Since the gas velocity in the throat area is always sonic (except for very low, subcritical chamber pressures), the attachment of the divergent nozzle section, likewise, will have no effect on the previously described gas processes and the pressures upstream of the throat. However, conditions downstream from the throat are now different.

With the cylindrical chamber, and the chamber with convergent nozzle, the static pressure energy available at the throat ptp_{t} is dissipated by

Figure 1-9

expansion to atmospheric pressure, flowing freely in all directions. By attaching a divergent nozzle, we prevent the gases from dissipating at random, and further accelerate the gases in one preferred direction only. Since this process takes place in the divergent part of the thrust chamber, the static pressures of the expanding gases produce a force on the chamber, as indicated by the arrows in figure 1-9. The expression of the thrust for the complete thrust chamber with convergent-divergent nozzle can now be written as:

Ftc=0AtpdA+AtAinjpdAAtAipdA+AtAepdA\begin{align*} F_{t \mathrm{c}}=\int_{0}^{A_{t}} p d A+\int_{A_{t}}^{A_{\mathrm{inj}}} p d A- & \int_{A_{t}}^{A_{i}} p d A \\ & +\int_{A_{t}}^{A_{\mathrm{e}}} p d A \tag{1-38} \end{align*}

The last expression in the equation represents the gain realized from attaching the divergent nozzle to the throat. By combining all gains into a single coefficient CfC_{f} (see eq. 1-33), we arrive again at equation (1-34):

F=(pc)nsAtCfF=\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} \cdot A_{t} \cdot C_{f}

In brief, it may be stated that the redesign (fig. 1-9) results in an increased thrust level, for the same W˙tc \dot{W}_{\text {tc }} and the same feed system configuration.

Summary of the Influences of pa,ϵ,γ,Rp_{\mathrm{a}}, \epsilon, \gamma, R, and (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} on Engine Performance

The Effect of pap_{a}

An ambient pressure pap_{a} reduces the vacuum thrust FF of an engine by the amount paAep_{a} \cdot A_{e}. (See eq. (1-6).) CfC_{f} is similarly affected by the amount ϵpa/(pc)ns\epsilon \cdot p_{a} /\left(p_{c}\right)_{n s}, as shown in equation 1-33a). This may be rewritten as Cf=(Cf)vac ϵpa/(pc)ns C_{f}=\left(C_{f}\right)_{\text {vac }}-\epsilon \cdot p_{a} /\left(p_{c}\right)_{\text {ns }}. The lower the ambient pressure, the higher thrust and performance. Maximum values are obtained in vacuum.

The Effect of ϵ\epsilon

Optimum thrust for a given ambient pressure is obtained when the nozzle expansion area ratio ϵ=Ae/At\epsilon=A_{e} / A_{t} is such that pe=pap_{e}=p_{a}. This may be seen from figure 1-10. If the divergent nozzle section is extended in the region where pe>pap_{e}>p_{a}, thrust will increase. Where pe<pap_{e}<p_{a}, however, lengthening of the nozzle will decrease thrust. Hence it would be beneficial to design the nozzle to yield pe=pap_{e}=p_{\mathrm{a}}, to reach an optimum value for the thrust coefficient. The ϵ\epsilon for this condition is called optimum nozzle expansion area ratio. Unfortunately, because of changing ambient pressure during flight, no one single ϵ\epsilon is optimum. Optimization studies are usually made to determine the best compromise. Such a study is not required (except for weight and size considerations) for rockets which start and stop at the same ambient pressure, such as upper stages, where ambient pressure is zero or near zero at all times. For the special case of pa=0p_{a}=0 (vacuum conditions), ϵ\epsilon would become infinity, to satisfy "ideal expansion." Even for this case, however, expansion ratios over 25 contribute little. The nozzle design is usually "cut" at this point, mainly for weight considerations. This leaves a small positive pressure at the exit which is unavailable for final gas acceleration. However, it still contributes as a positive term peAep_{\mathrm{e}} \cdot A_{\mathrm{e}}.

The Effect of γ\gamma

The specific heat ratio is an indication of the energy storing capacity of the gas molecule. A smaller value of yy indicates a higher energystoring capability, and in turn gives higher engine performance. As shown in equations (1-32a) and (1-33a), a smaller γ\gamma will yield a higher value for both, cc^{*} and CfC_{f}. The influence of the properties of the selected propellants and of the combustion products is apparent.

The Effect of R(R=1544/π)R(R=1544 / \pi)

It can be seen from equation (1-32) that for constant (Tc)ns,c\left(T_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}, c^{*} will increase if the gas

Figure 1-10

constant RR increases; i.e., the gas molecular weight decreases. Thus, a higher value of RR will yield a higher engine performance.

The Effect of (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}

The effective chamber pressure or nozzle stagnation pressure (pc)ns \left(p_{c}\right)_{\text {ns }} appears in equation (1-33a) for CfC_{f} in the form of two pressure ratios pe/(pc)ns p_{e} /\left(p_{c}\right)_{\text {ns }} and pa/(pc)ns p_{a} /\left(p_{c}\right)_{\text {ns }}. As is evident from equation (1-20), the ratio pe/(pc)ns p_{e} /\left(p_{c}\right)_{\text {ns }} has a singular value, for a given ϵ\epsilon and γ.(pc)ns\gamma .\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} in equation (1-33), therefore, influences CfC_{f} only through the negative term pa/(pc)ns-p_{a} /\left(p_{c}\right)_{n s}. An increase in (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{n s} decreases this negative term and hence increases CfC_{f}. This effect is more pronounced when pap_{a} is high. Since the thrust is proportional to both (pc)ns\left(p_{\mathrm{c}}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} and CC_{\ell}, we see now clearly how an increase in (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} in a given thrust chamber will increase the thrust. (pc)ns\left(\boldsymbol{p}_{\mathbf{c}}\right)_{\mathbf{n s}} also has some effect on the combustion process. Increasing (pc)ns \left(p_{c}\right)_{\text {ns }} tends to increase (Tc)ns\left(T_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} and to reduce γ\gamma and RR. The overall result is usually an increase in cc^{*}. However, these effects are slight, especially at (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}} above 300 psi .

Correction Factors and Magnitudes of Engine Performance Parameters

The actual performance of a liquid propellant rocket engine differs from that of an ideal one because of friction effects, heat transfer, nonperfect gases, nonaxial flow, nonuniformity of working substance and of flow distribution, and shifting gas composition. The latter refers to the fact that the gas properties ( γ\gamma, II, RR ) are not truly constant along the nozzle axis, as the isentropic treatment of the processes assumes. Therefore, correction factors have to be applied to the performance parameters which are derived from theoretical assumptions. Following are some important correction factors:

Correction factor for thrust and thrust coefficient

ηf= Actual thrust  coefficient  Ideal thrust  coefficient  Actual thrust = Acal thrust  Ideal (1-39)\eta_{f}=\frac{\begin{array}{c} \text { Actual thrust } \\ \text { coefficient } \tag{1-39}\\ \text { Ideal thrust } \\ \text { coefficient } \end{array}}{\text { Actual thrust }}=\frac{\text { Acal thrust }}{\text { Ideal }}

The values for ηf\eta_{f} range from 0.92 to 1.00 . Correction factor for effective exhaust velocity and specific impulse

ηv= Actual effective  exhaust velocity  Ideal effective  exhaust velocity  Actual specific  impulse = Ideal specific  impulse  imple (1-40)\eta_{v}=\frac{\begin{array}{c} \text { Actual effective } \tag{1-40}\\ \text { exhaust velocity } \\ \text { Ideal effective } \\ \text { exhaust velocity } \end{array}}{\begin{array}{c} \text { Actual specific } \\ \text { impulse } \end{array}}=\frac{\begin{array}{c} \text { Ideal specific } \\ \text { impulse } \end{array}}{\text { imple }}

The values for ηv\eta_{v} range from 0.85 to 0.98 . Correction factor for characteristic velocity

ηv= Actual characteristic velocity  Ideal characteristic velocity \begin{equation*} \eta_{v} *=\frac{\text { Actual characteristic velocity }}{\text { Ideal characteristic velocity }} \tag{1-41} \end{equation*}

The values for ηv\eta_{v}{ }^{*} range from 0.87 to 1.03 . Correction factor for propellant mass flow rate

ηw= Actual propellant mass flow rate  Ideal propellant mass flow rate (142)\eta_{w}=\frac{\text { Actual propellant mass flow rate }}{\text { Ideal propellant mass flow rate }}(1-42)

The values for ηw\eta_{w} range from 0.98 to 1.15 . The relation between correction factors may be expressed as:

ηv=ηvηtηv=1/ηw\begin{align*} & \eta_{v}=\eta_{v}^{*} \cdot \eta_{t} \tag{1-43}\\ & \eta_{v}=1 / \eta_{w} \tag{1-44} \end{align*}

Actual ranges of liquid propellant rocket engine parameters are listed in table 1-3.

TABLE 1-3

Gas temperature, T.4000R4000^{\circ} \mathrm{R} to 7000R7000^{\circ} \mathrm{R}
Nozzle stagnation pressure (pc)ns\left(p_{c}\right)_{n s}10 to 2500 psia
Molecular weight, III2 to 30
Gas constant, RR.51.5 to 772
Gas flow Mach number, M0 to 4.5
Specific heat ratio. r1.13 to 1.66
Nozzle expansion area ratio. 63.5 to 100
Nozzle contraction area ratio, tct c1.3 to 6
Thrust coefficient, CfC_{f}1.3 to 2.0
Characteristic velocity, c\mathrm{c}^{*}3000 to 8000ft/sec8000 \mathrm{ft} / \mathrm{sec}
Effective exhaust velocity, cc4000 to 12000ft/sec12000 \mathrm{ft} / \mathrm{sec}
Specific impulse, IsI_{s}150 to 480 sec (vacuum)

Values of the vacuum or altitude thrust coefficient (Cf)vac \left(C_{f}\right)_{\text {vac }} plotted as functions of nozzle expansion area ratio ϵ\epsilon and gas specific heat ratio γ\gamma are shown in figure 1-11.

Sample Calculation (1-3)

Assume a thrust chamber for the same ideal liquid propellant rocket engine as given in sample calculation (1-2), in which W˙tc=360.7lb/sec\dot{W}_{\mathrm{tc}}=360.7 \mathrm{lb} / \mathrm{sec}; (pc)ns=1000psia;(Tc)ns=6540R;π=22.67\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}=1000 \mathrm{psia} ;\left(T_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}=6540^{\circ} \mathrm{R} ; \pi=22.67; y=1.20;ϵ=12y=1.20 ; \epsilon=12.

Determine the following: (a) Theoretical cc^{*}; (b) theoretical CfC_{f} at sea level and in space; (c) theoretical (Is)tc\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}} at sea level and in space; (d) actual cc^{*}, if cc^{*} correction factor ηv=0.97\eta_{v}{ }^{*}=0.97; (e) actual CfC_{f} at sea level and in space, if sea level CfC_{f} correction factor: ηf=0.983\eta_{f}=0.983; (f) actual (Is)tc\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}} at sea level and in space; (g)(Is)tc(\mathrm{g})\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}} correction factor at sea level; (h) thrust at sea level and in space; (i) actual AtA_{t} and AeA_{e}.

Solution

(a) From equation (1-32a):

 Theoretical c=gyR(Tc)ns(2γ+1)γ+1γ1=32.2×1.2×154422.67×65400.7104=5830ft/sec\text { Theoretical } \begin{aligned} c^{*} & =\frac{\sqrt{g y R\left(T_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}}}{\sqrt{\left(\frac{2}{\gamma+1}\right)^{\frac{\gamma+1}{\gamma-1}}}} \\ & =\frac{\sqrt{32.2 \times 1.2 \times \frac{1544}{22.67} \times 6540}}{0.7104} \\ & =5830 \mathrm{ft} / \mathrm{sec} \end{aligned}

(b) From equation (1-33a):

Figure 1-11.-Altitude thrust coefficient as function of area ratio and specific heat ratio.

Theoretical cf=2γ2γ1(2γ+1)γ+1γ1[1(pe(pc)ns)γ1γc_{f}=\sqrt{\frac{2 \gamma^{2}}{\gamma-1}\left(\frac{2}{\gamma+1}\right)^{\frac{\gamma+1}{\gamma-1}}\left[1-\left(\frac{p_{e}}{\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}}\right)^{\frac{\gamma-1}{\gamma}}\right.}

+ϵpepa(pc)ns+\epsilon \frac{p_{e}-p_{a}}{\left(p_{c}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}}

From sample calculation (1-2)

pe=9.85psia:p_{e}=9.85 \mathrm{psia}:

At sea level pa=14.7psiap_{a}=14.7 \mathrm{psia} : Theoretical Cf=2.247×1(9.851000)1/6C_{f}=2.247 \times \sqrt{1-\left(\frac{9.85}{1000}\right)^{1 / 6}}

+12×9.8514.71000=2.247×10.46254.85×121000=2.247×0.7340.0582\begin{aligned} & \quad+12 \times \frac{9.85-14.7}{1000} \\ & =2.247 \times \sqrt{1-0.4625}-\frac{4.85 \times 12}{1000} \\ & =2.247 \times 0.734-0.0582 \end{aligned} =1.650.0582=1.5918\begin{aligned} & =1.65-0.0582 \\ & =1.5918 \end{aligned}

In space: Theoretical Ct=1.5918+12×14.71000=1.5918+0.1764C_{t}=1.5918+12 \times \frac{14.7}{1000}=1.5918+0.1764

=1.7682=1.7682

(c) From equation (1-31):

 Theoretical Is=cCfg\text { Theoretical } I_{s}=\frac{c^{*} \cdot C_{f}}{g}

At sea level: Theoretical (Is)tc=5830×1.591832.2=288.4lbsec/lb\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}=\frac{5830 \times 1.5918}{32.2}=288.4 \mathrm{lb} \mathrm{sec} / \mathrm{lb}

In space:

Theoretical (Is)tc=5830×1.768232.2=319.6lbsec/lb\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}=\frac{5830 \times 1.7682}{32.2}=319.6 \mathrm{lb} \mathrm{sec} / \mathrm{lb} (d) From equation (1-41):

Actual c=ηvc^{*}=\eta_{v^{*}} \cdot theoretical cc^{*}

=0.97×5830=5650ft/sec=0.97 \times 5830=5650 \mathrm{ft} / \mathrm{sec}

(e) From equation (1-39):

Actual Cf=ηfC_{f}=\eta_{f}.theoretical CfC_{f} At sea level:

Actual Cf=0.983×1.5918=1.566C_{f}=0.983 \times 1.5918=1.566

In space: Actual Cf=1.566+12×14.71000C_{f}=1.566+12 \times \frac{14.7}{1000}

=1.566+0.1764=1.7424=1.566+0.1764=1.7424

(f) At sea level:

Actual (Is)tc=5650×1.56632.2=275lbsec/lb\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}=\frac{5650 \times 1.566}{32.2}=275 \mathrm{lb} \mathrm{sec} / \mathrm{lb}

In space: Actual (Is)tc=5650×1.742432.2=306lbsec/lb\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}}=\frac{5650 \times 1.7424}{32.2}=306 \mathrm{lb} \mathrm{sec} / \mathrm{lb} (g) From equation (1-40):

(Is)tc correction factor ηv at sea level = Actual (Is)tc at sea level  Theoretical (Is) tc at  sea level =275288.40.954\begin{aligned} \begin{array}{c} \left(I_{s}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}} \text { correction factor } \\ \eta_{v} \text { at sea level } \end{array} & =\frac{\text { Actual }\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}} \text { at sea level }}{\begin{array}{c} \text { Theoretical }\left(I_{s}\right) \text { tc at } \\ \text { sea level } \end{array}} \\ & =\frac{275}{288.4}-0.954 \end{aligned}

Or from equation (1-43):

ηv=ηvηf=0.97×0.983=0.954\eta_{v}=\eta_{v} * \cdot \eta_{f}=0.97 \times 0.983=0.954

(h) From equation (1-31):

Thrust FF at sea level =W˙tc (Is)tc =\dot{W}_{\text {tc }} \cdot\left(I_{\mathrm{s}}\right)_{\text {tc }} at sea level

=360.7×275=99200lb=360.7 \times 275=99200 \mathrm{lb}

Thrust FF in space =W˙tc(IS)tc=\dot{W}_{\mathrm{tc}} \cdot\left(I_{S}\right)_{\mathrm{tc}} in space

=360.7×306=108500lb=360.7 \times 306=108500 \mathrm{lb}

(i) From equation (1-33):

At=FCf(pc)ns=992001.566×1000=63.4in2A_{\mathrm{t}}=\frac{F}{C_{f} \cdot\left(p_{\mathrm{c}}\right)_{\mathrm{ns}}}=\frac{99200}{1.566 \times 1000}=63.4 \mathrm{in}^{2} Ae=ϵAt=12×63.4=760.8in2A_{e}=\epsilon \cdot A_{t}=12 \times 63.4=760.8 \mathrm{in}^{2}