Choked flow occurs when the velocity of a compressible fluid reaches the speed of sound in a conduit, limiting the mass flow rate despite further reductions in downstream pressure. This phenomenon is critical in applications involving nozzles, orifices, and safety valves, where it ensures predictable and stable flow conditions under certain pressure differentials.

Choked Flow

Choked flow

compressible fluid

The speed of sound is the rate at which sound waves travel through a medium, influenced by the medium's properties such as temperature, density, and elasticity. In dry air at 20°C (68°F), it is approximately 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second), but it varies in different materials and conditions.

speed of sound

Mass flow rate is a measure of the mass of a substance passing through a given surface per unit time, crucial for analyzing fluid dynamics in systems like pipelines, engines, and chemical reactors. It is typically expressed in units like kilograms per second (kg/s) and is calculated by multiplying the fluid density by the cross-sectional area and the velocity of flow.

mass flow rate

downstream pressure

nozzles

orifices

Safety valves are critical components in pressure systems designed to automatically release pressure when it exceeds a predetermined limit, preventing equipment failure or catastrophic events. They ensure operational safety and compliance with industry standards by acting as a fail-safe mechanism in various industrial applications.

safety valves

Predictable flow conditions

stable flow conditions

Pressure differentials refer to the difference in pressure between two points in a fluid or gas, which drives the flow from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. This principle is fundamental in various applications, including meteorology, fluid dynamics, and engineering systems like HVAC and aerodynamics.

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