Application of the Method of Characteristics to Supersonic Nozzle Design and Its Comparison with CFD Analysis
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Keywords:
Bell-Shaped Nozzle, Method Of Characteristics, Supersonic Flow, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Centerline And Wall Pressure, Centerline And Wall MachAbstract
Supersonic nozzles play a crucial role in the propulsion systems and engines of various
vehicles designed for diverse applications. Contoured nozzles, recognized for their efficiency, are the
most commonly used profiles today. This study utilizes the Method of Characteristics (MoC) to design
the supersonic section of a contoured nozzle profile, employing an isentropic, inviscid, and irrotational
supersonic flow model. The objective is to achieve a parallel and uniform flow with a specified exit Mach
number. The results are then compared with those from a CFD simulation of the flow field using the
Ansys-Fluent platform. By analyzing pressure and Mach number along both the centerline and wall, the
findings revealed a good agreement, highlighting specific characteristics of the MoC.
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