Understanding the thrust generated by a typical jet engine

In summary, the thrust associated to each part of the jet engine is justified through Newton's third law, which states that the pressure increases across the compressor due to the decreased cross-sectional area. The pressure decreases suddenly at the beginning of the combustion chamber, and remains constant throughout. The cross-sectional area of the CC cannot justify this, so the thrust must come from somewhere else. The CC contributes to the thrust, though the exact amount is still unknown.
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JD_PM
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I was reading propulsion chapter 9 of Anderson's Flight book (http://213.230.96.51:8090/files/ebooks/Muhandislik/Anderson J.D. Introduction to flight (8ed., MGH, 2016)(ISBN 9780078027673)(O)(929s) EAs .pdf) and came to Figure 9.18 b) & c), Figure 9.19 (I cannot post the image here due to copyright reasons), which shows the thrust associated to each part of the jet engine.

I want to understand how to physically justify the thrust linked to each part of the jet engine, as shown in Figure 9.19.

It should be justified once the pressure distribution along the engine is understood. Assuming an isentropic, ideal gas, I based my reasoning in Newton's third law.

7492794972472784329482UU493U438F392.png


Compressor. The flow exerts pressure (over certain area) on the compressor blades and these exert the same pressure on the flow in the opposite direction, generating thrust. The pressure increases across the compressor because the cross-sectional area decreases through the compressor (the thrust across the compressor ##T_c## increases but I assumed that the latter does so "slower" than the cross-sectional area).

Diffuser. The flow exerts pressure (over certain area) on the tip of the combustion chamber, which exerts the same pressure on the flow in the opposite direction. Despite being a diffuser, we observe that the pressure increases; that has to do with the increase in temperature (this can be seen via the isentropic relation ##\frac{p}{p_0} = \left( \frac{T}{T_0} \right)^{\gamma/(\gamma-1)}##).

Combustion chamber (CC). Here things become interesting. Despite the huge increase in temperature, the pressure experiences a sudden decrease right at the beginning of the CC and the value remains constant throughout. The cross-sectional area cannot justify this so I am still thinking what argument could do.

How can we justify the CC contribution to the thrust? The flow exerts pressure (over certain area) on the the ending part of the combustion chamber, which exerts the same pressure on the flow in the opposite direction.

I have been trying to use the same argument to justify why the thrust linked to the turbine and the convergent nozzle points in the opposite direction but did not come up with a convincing answer yet.

What could be done to optimize the net thrust? I thought the key should be on reducing the thrust linked to the turbine and the convergent nozzle given that they are the responsible for generating an opposite thrust. However, these are necessary in order to increase the flow's speed (we know, due to Mach number-pressure relation (Aerodynamics Anderson EQ. 8.42 https://aviationdose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Fundamentals-of-aerodynamics-6-Edition.pdf), that if the pressure decreases the speed increases), which is essential in order to generate net thrust.

I find propulsion absolutely fascinating so please feel free to discuss beyond!
 
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JD_PM said:
I have been trying to use the same argument to justify why the thrust linked to the turbine and the convergent nozzle points in the opposite direction but did not come up with a convincing answer yet.
The turbine is pitched and geared to extract energy from the flow, so the force on it in the direction of the flow (backwards). To generate a force opposite to the relative flow, you need to supply energy via the shaft (as happens at the compressor).

Here is a nice riddle that goes to the basic physics of a turbojet:
https://www.av8n.com/physics/jet-riddle.htm
 
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FAQ: Understanding the thrust generated by a typical jet engine

What is thrust and how is it generated by a jet engine?

Thrust is a force that propels an object forward. In the case of a jet engine, thrust is generated by the engine's exhaust gases pushing against the surrounding air, creating a reaction force that propels the aircraft forward.

What factors affect the amount of thrust generated by a jet engine?

The amount of thrust generated by a jet engine is affected by several factors, including the engine's design, the airspeed and altitude of the aircraft, and the temperature and density of the surrounding air.

How is the thrust of a jet engine measured?

The thrust of a jet engine is typically measured in pounds or newtons, using a device called a thrust meter. This device measures the force being exerted by the engine's exhaust gases and provides an accurate measurement of the engine's thrust output.

How does a jet engine produce thrust at different altitudes?

As an aircraft climbs to higher altitudes, the air becomes thinner and less dense. To maintain the same amount of thrust, a jet engine must increase its speed and the amount of air it takes in to produce the same amount of thrust. This is achieved through various design features, such as variable inlet guide vanes and variable stator vanes.

What is the relationship between thrust and fuel consumption in a jet engine?

Thrust and fuel consumption have an inverse relationship in a jet engine. As the engine produces more thrust, it also consumes more fuel. This is because the engine needs more fuel to maintain the high temperatures and pressures required for efficient thrust production. However, advancements in engine design and technology have led to more fuel-efficient engines in recent years.

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