Rocket thrust equation -- What is velocity V in mass flow rate formula?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of rocket thrust using the mass flow rate formula, specifically addressing the variable V, which represents velocity. Participants clarify that for rockets, the initial gas velocity is zero, and thrust calculations should focus on exit velocity (Ve). The mass flow rate (mdot) is determined by the exit velocity, cross-sectional area, and fluid density, with the formula mdot = Ve × A × r. Additionally, the integration of pressure forces and momentum contributions is essential for accurate thrust calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rocket propulsion principles
  • Familiarity with mass flow rate calculations
  • Knowledge of fluid mechanics, particularly Newton's Second Law
  • Basic grasp of pressure dynamics in fluid systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the rocket thrust equation
  • Learn about the relationship between exit velocity (Ve) and thrust optimization
  • Explore the impact of nozzle design on pressure and thrust
  • Investigate the application of control volume analysis in fluid mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, rocket propulsion specialists, and students studying fluid mechanics and thermodynamics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those focused on optimizing rocket thrust calculations.

user079622
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What is velocity V in mass flow rate formula, velocity of inlet ,outlet, velocity of rocket speed in relation to freestream?
 
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V is just velocity in the generalized force equation. Inlet and outlet velocity are clearly labeled, and the rocket is at rest always under this equation (velocity of the gases is measured relative to the engine)..
 
russ_watters said:
V is just velocity in the generalized force equation. Inlet and outlet velocity are clearly labeled, and the rocket is at rest always under this equation (velocity of the gases is measured relative to the engine)..
I dont understand..
which V I must use to calculate mas flow rate?
 
user079622 said:
I dont understand..
which V I must use to calculate mas flow rate?
I don't understand either; mass flow rate is an input, not an output from the equation. What, exactly, are you trying to do and what information do you have to start with?
 
russ_watters said:
I don't understand either; mass flow rate is an input, not an output from the equation. What, exactly, are you trying to do and what information do you have to start with?
so F= Vo x Vo x r x Ao - Ve x Ve x r x Ae ?
 
user079622 said:
so F= Vo x Vo x r x Ao - Ve x Ve x r x Ae ?
Where did you get that? Again, what are you trying to do and what information do you have to start with? You seem to be plugging things in without a goal.
 
russ_watters said:
Where did you get that? Again, what are you trying to do and what information do you have to start with?
I am trying to calculate rocket thrust, but what V I must plug in in mass flow formula if I have just label Vo and Ve????

I want to say that mass flow rate at exit depend on Ve, on input depend on Vo
 
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Ok, the original equation is for jets. Rockets don't have initial gas velocity, so you zero that out and just calculate from exit velocity.
 
russ_watters said:
Ok, the original equation is for jets. Rockets don't have initial gas velocity, so you zero that out and just calculate from exit velocity.
mass flow of rocket depend on Ve

Ve=100m/s
A=4m2
r= 1.2kg/m3

mdot= 100 x 1.2 x 4

F= mdot x v
=100^2 x 1.2 x 4Second thing, I dont understand part (pe-po)A, this is just force express through pressure times surface, that part must be equal as mdot x v..
dont make sense formula has part of pressure contribution and momentum mdotxv contribution to thrust

This like you calculate lift at wing from integration of static pressure around wing and then from how much wing air push down momentum (mdot x v) and then add this together, this is wrong
 
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  • #10
user079622 said:
Second thing, I dont understand part (pe-po)A, this is just force express through pressure times surface, that part must be equal as mdot x v..
dont make sense formula has part of pressure contribution and momentum mdotxv contribution to thrust
Again, that equation is for a jet (or fan), where there may be a pressure change through the jet.

I'm not sure this works well for a rocket: you sure about r?
 
  • #11
russ_watters said:
Again, that equation is for a jet (or fan), where there may be a pressure change through the jet.

I'm not sure this works well for a rocket: you sure about r?
rockth.gif
 
  • #12
user079622 said:
The gage pressure of the exhaust jet integrated over the area of the jet is an external force on the rocket.
 
  • #13
erobz said:
The gage pressure of the exhaust jet integrated over the area of the jet is an external force on the rocket.
Yes I agree and this is (pe-po)Ae, but dont make any sense to add this to mdot x v
 
  • #14
user079622 said:
Yes I agree an this is (pe-po)Ae, but dont make any sense to add this to mdot x v

It makes sense in the context of Newtons Second Law for control volumes " a.k.a. "The Momentum Equation" in fluid mechanics. A control volume surrounds the rocket, slicing through the exhaust jet.

$$ \sum \boldsymbol F = \frac{d}{dt}\int_{cv} \boldsymbol v \rho ~dV\llap{-} + \int_{cs} \boldsymbol v \rho \boldsymbol V \cdot d \boldsymbol A \tag{1}$$

Turing your rocket vertical:

1702212807395.png


The LHS side of ##(1)## is the sum of the external forces acting on the control volume, Drag, Weight, Gage Exhaust Pressure. The rest comes from evaluating the RHS under certain simplifying assumptions.
 
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  • #15
erobz said:
The gage pressure of the exhaust jet integrated over the area of the jet is an external force on the rocket.
This integration get same result as (pe-po)Ae?
 
  • #16
user079622 said:
This integration get same result as (pe-po)Ae?
Its a simplification. Uniform pressure distribution. In the diagram I showed the force as the effect of a uniformly distributed pressure integrated over ##A_e##... i.e. ##P_e A_e##

Note that the symbols are used differently. Your ##p_e## is an absolute pressure, mine (##P_e##) is a gage pressure, but the main idea is the same.
 
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  • #17
In practice the goal is to maximize thrust, and believe it or not... the pressure term exists, but it is actually a detriment to the thrust, because there is a dependency of the exhaust velocity ##V_e## on the nozzle exit pressure ##P_e##, and in optimization they try to make ##P_e## as close to ambient pressure as possible ( bringing the pressure term to zero) to maximize ##V_e##.

https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v8i12/ART20203435.pdf
 
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  • #18
erobz said:
Its a simplification. Uniform pressure distribution. In the diagram I showed the force as the effect of a uniformly distributed pressure integrated over ##A_e##... i.e. ##P_e A_e##

Note that the symbols are used differently. Your ##p_e## is an absolute pressure, mine (##P_e##) is a gage pressure, but the main idea is the same.
My (pe-po) is your gage pressure Pe.
So if you just integrate gage pressure over nozzle area ,like you said, that you still missing part mass flow x v ? so your post #12 is not correct?

Theory-Bites-Gauge-Pressure-Absolute-Pressure.png
 
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  • #19
user079622 said:
My (pe-po) is your gage pressure Pe.
So if you just integrate gage pressure over nozzle area ,like you said, that you still missing part mass flow x v ? so your post #12 is not correct?
I said the rest of it ( meaning the momentum rate accumulation and efflux terms ) comes from evaluating the two integrals on the right hand side (RHS) of the equation ##(1)##.
 

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