Impulse thrust calculations from pressure bottle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating thrust and impulse thrust for gas escaping from a pressure bottle, such as a scuba tank. Participants explore the mathematical relationships involved in determining the necessary parameters for achieving a specific energy output, including bottle size, pressure, and nozzle diameter.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Ben, seeks guidance on calculating thrust and impulse thrust for a gas escaping a pressure bottle, specifically asking for parameters needed to achieve 1MJ of energy output.
  • Another participant discusses the relationship between pressure, force, and momentum, suggesting that impulse can be calculated using the formula for change in momentum and work.
  • A different participant introduces the integral momentum equation of fluid dynamics, proposing a method to estimate exhaust velocity based on internal and external pressures.
  • There are corrections and clarifications regarding the momentum integral equation, with one participant asserting that their previous statement was incorrect and expressing frustration over the mistake.
  • Another participant humorously reflects on their own errors in the discussion, indicating a light-hearted approach to the technical challenges presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct application of fluid dynamics equations and the interpretation of momentum principles. There is no consensus on the best approach to calculate the required parameters for the thrust and impulse thrust.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge the complexity of the calculations involved, including the need for integration and the potential for varying conditions during gas escape. There are references to the need for more detailed analysis and the limitations of the initial approximations presented.

NZ_Ben
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Hi,

Am wondering how to calculate the thrust and impulse thrust for gas escaping a pressure bottle - ie a scuba tank or the like. My maths is a lil shady so go easy on integration and such.

Like say if I wanted 1MJ of energy output - what size bottle at what pressure with what nozzle diameter would be required.

Thanks in advance
Ben
 
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P = F/A;

Change in momentum = Impulse = Force * time

Change in energy = Work = (Force)(distance)(cos (theta))...since this a rocket..the force will most likely be in the same direction as the movement...so...cos(0) = 1...and you have...

Work = Force(distance).

Or, since you know the momentum, you know the velocity; you can find energy, since KE = (1/2) mv^2

For future reference, in case your force is not constant or something like that...you may need to use calculus...

...then... Fdt = dP...and F *(dot product) dr = dW
(note that r = distance)

Essentially, this means that to find Impulse, you have to integrate Fdt, and to find work, you would have to integrate the dot product of F and dr.
 
Last edited:
NZ_Ben said:
Hi,

Am wondering how to calculate the thrust and impulse thrust for gas escaping a pressure bottle - ie a scuba tank or the like. My maths is a lil shady so go easy on integration and such.

Like say if I wanted 1MJ of energy output - what size bottle at what pressure with what nozzle diameter would be required.

Thanks in advance
Ben

Very easy. You have to use the 2nd law of motion. But there is an special reformulation of that by means of the integral momentum equation of fluid dynamics:

[tex]\int_S \rho v v dS=-\int_S P dS[/tex]

which means in first quasy-steady aproximation that the force produces with the flow of gas outwards is balanced with pressure forces:

If the hole of exhaust has an area of A, and the flow is exhausted at velocity U, and the external pressure is P_a and the internal one P_o:

the exhaust velocity can be estimated as:

[tex]U\approx \sqrt{\frac{P_o-P_a}{\rho_o}}[/tex]

With that, you can make some figures. A more detail analysis will employ the unsteady process of exhausting, but the rocket equation can be employed by you to have a decent solution. I have made only a rude estimation.
 
Clausius2 said:
Very easy. You have to use the 2nd law of motion. But there is an special reformulation of that by means of the integral momentum equation of fluid dynamics:

[tex]\int_S \rho v v dS=-\int_S P dS[/tex]

With a small adaggio.It should be 2 around here
[tex]\int_S \frac{\rho v^2}{2} dS=-\int_S P dS[/tex]

:wink:
 
dextercioby said:
With a small adaggio.It should be 2 around here
[tex]\int_S \frac{\rho v^2}{2} dS=-\int_S P dS[/tex]

:wink:

Of course That's false. The complete momentum integral equation is:

[tex]\frac{d}{dt}\int_V \rho \overline {v} dV +\int_S \rho \overline {v} \overline {v}\cdot \overline{dS}=-\int_S P\overline{dS} + \int_S \tau \overline{dS} + \int_V \rho f_m dV[/tex]

It is impossible I'm wrong here boy. I have used this equation a million of times. :wink: :!)

Take a look at some Fluid Mechanics book. What you posted have no sense.
 
Sorry,my mistake,the integral i posted appears in the enregy law.I mixed up equations.Damn,i was stupid... :mad: :cry:
 
dextercioby said:
Sorry,my mistake,the integral i posted appears in the enregy law.I mixed up equations.Damn,i was stupid... :mad: :cry:

It doesn't matter. If someone gives me one euro for each stupidity I have said here, I would be the richest guy on the world. :smile:
 

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