What Exhaust Pipe Diameter is Needed for a Given Exhaust Speed?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the required exhaust pipe diameter for an engine operating at 3000 rpm with a displacement of 1.2 liters, expelling exhaust gas at a speed of 50 m/s. The calculations involve understanding the relationship between exhaust speed, gas volume, and the force exerted by the exhaust on the car. Key equations include the combustion reaction of hydrocarbons and the relationship between revolutions and exhaust velocity. The solution requires integrating these concepts to determine both the pipe diameter and the force exerted by the exhaust gases.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles related to fluid dynamics
  • Familiarity with combustion chemistry and hydrocarbon reactions
  • Knowledge of kinematics, particularly relating to rotational motion
  • Ability to apply calculus to derive relationships between variables
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the exhaust pipe diameter using the formula for flow rate and exhaust speed
  • Explore the principles of fluid dynamics in exhaust systems
  • Study the effects of exhaust gas velocity on vehicle performance
  • Investigate the relationship between fuel consumption and exhaust emissions
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Automotive engineers, mechanical engineers, students studying fluid dynamics, and anyone interested in optimizing vehicle exhaust systems.

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Homework Statement



The engine turns at 3000 rpm at this speed. The engine capacity has a displacement of 1.2 litres: this means that 1.2 litres of exhaust gas is expelled from the motor (into the exhaust manifold) every two* revolutions. Further assume that the gas leaves the exhaust pipe with the same volume** that it leaves the engine. What exhaust pipe diameter is required to obtain the given exhaust speed?

Homework Equations


Remember the class problem about drag-race cars with exhaust thrust? Is there a serious propulsion effect for normal cars with horizontal exhaust pipes? To get quantitative, we need some chemistry. Here is an approximate reaction for burning hydrocarbons in air:

(CH2)n + 1.5*n O2 + 6n N2 -> n CO2 + n H2O + 6n N2 (n is an integer)

The (CH2)n approximates the fuel, and everything on the right is the exhaust. The atomic masses of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen are in the ratio 1:12:14:16. (Hint: how many kg of exhaust for one kg of fuel?)

A car uses 4.0 kg of (CH2)n hydrocarbon fuel per 100 km while it travels at 100 k.p.h. in a straight line at constant speed. The gas comes out of the (horizontal) exhaust pipe at a speed of v = 50 m.s-1, measured with respect to the car.

What is the magnitude of the force the exhaust gas exerts on the car? (Hint: the exhaust gasses are accelerated in the frame of the car, so ignore the momentum of the incoming gas.)

The Attempt at a Solution


I got V = 0.6R (R = revolutions), dV/dR = 0.6 And R = 50t, dR/dt= 50 dV/dt=30 I don't know what to do after this.
 
Last edited:
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There seem to be two parts to the question, the first being:
pizics said:
What exhaust pipe diameter is required to obtain the given exhaust speed?
But to answer it you need to use this piece of information provided in the second part:
pizics said:
The gas comes out of the (horizontal) exhaust pipe at a speed of v = 50 m.s-1
Where the second part is:
pizics said:
What is the magnitude of the force the exhaust gas exerts on the car? (
How can you relate the given value of v to your dV/dt and the diameter of the pipe?
 

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