Week 7 - Simulation of a 1D Supersonic nozzle flow simulation using Macormack Method
Objective: To simulate the isentropic flow through a quasi 1D subsonic-supersonic nozzle. Need to derive both the conservation and non-conservation forms of the governing equations and sovle them using the MacCormack's technique. Also need to determine the steady-state temperature distribution for the flow-field variables and investigate the difference between the two forms of governing equations by comparing their solutions.
And finally need to show the following plots inside your report
1. Steady-state distribution of primitive variables inside the nozzle
2. Time-wise variation of the primitive variables
3. Variation of Mass flow rate distribution inside the nozzle at different time steps during the time-marching process
4. Comparison of Normalized mass flow rate distributions of both forms
Description: We consider the study, isentropic flow through a convergent divergent nozzle. The flow at the inlet to the nozzle comes from reservoir. The cross section area of the reservoir is very large and hence velocity is very small. The flow is locally subsonic the convergent section of the nozzle, Sonic at the throat and Supersonic at the divergent section.

Governing Equations:

Governing Equations - Non Conservative Form:
Continuity Equation:
`(delrho')/(delt') = -rho'((delV')/(delx')) - rho'V'((del(ln A'))/(delx')) - V'((delrho')/(delx'))`
Momentum Equation:
`(delV')/(delt') = -V'((delV')/(delx')) -(1/gamma)((delT')/(delx') + (T')/(rho')((delrho')/(delx')))`
Energy Equation:
`(delT')/(delt') = -V'((delT')/(delx')) - (gamma -1)T'[(delV')/(delx') + V'(del(lnA'))/(delx')]`
Governing Equations - Conservative Form:
Continuity Equation:
`(del(rho'A'))/(delt') + (del(rho'A'V'))/(delx') = 0`
Momentum Equation:
`(del(rho'A'V'))/(delt') + (del[rho'A'(V')^2 +(1/gamma)rho'A'])/(delx') = (1/gamma)rho'((delA')/(delx'))`
Energy Equation:
`(del[rho'((e')/(gamma-1) + (gamma/2)(V')^2)A'])/(delt') + (del[rho'((e')/(gamma-1) + (gamma/2)(V')^2)V'A' + rho'A'V'])/(delx') = 0`
For air at standard conditions, γ=1.4">γ=1.4
These equations are solved by Macormack method using time marching process
Macormack Method:
Inorder for the governing equation are to be solved through Macormack Method, the following steps are followed
i. inital profile
Before the calculation, the initial profile for all the flow field variables which are velocity, density and temperature has to be determined. These are guess values but should be specified with more awareness on the problem.
ii. predector step
In this step the governing equations or the flow field variables are discretized using the forward difference method.
iii. solution update
In the solution update step, the initial guess values plus the predector step values (Floe field variables) multipled by the time step size are summed up.
iv. Corrector step
In this step the governing equations or the flow field variables are discretized using the backward difference method.
Then an avaerage of the flow field variable values is calucalted using the Predector and Corrector values.
v. Final solution update
Then finally in the final solution update step, the initial guess values plus the averaged values (Floe field variables) multipled by the time step size are summed up.
Main Code:
clear all
close all
clc
%SOLVING QUASI 1D SUPERSONIC NOZZLE FLOW EQUATIONS
%INPUT PARAMETERS
%No. of grid points
n = 31;
gamma = 1.4;
x = linspace(0,3,n);
dx = x(2) - x(1);
%No. of time step
nt = 1400;
%Courant Number
C = 0.5;
%FUNCTION FOR NON CONSERVATIVE FORM
tic;
[Mass_flow_rate_NC, Pressure_NC, Mach_number_NC, rho_NC, v_NC, T_NC, rho_throat_NC, v_throat_NC, T_throat_NC, Mass_flow_rate_throat_NC, Pressure_throat_NC, Mach_number_throat_NC] = Non_conservative_form(x, dx, n, gamma, nt, C);
Time_elapsed_NC = toc;
fprintf('Time Elasped for Non Conservative form: %0.4f', Time_elapsed_NC);
hold on
%PLOTTING
%Timestep variation of properties at throat area in Non Conservative form
figure(2)
%Density
subplot(4,1,1)
plot(linspace(1,nt,nt),rho_throat_NC,'color','m')
ylabel('Density')
legend({'Density at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0 1.3]);
grid minor;
title('Timestep variation at throat area - NON CONSERVATIVE FORM')
%Temperature
subplot(4,1,2)
plot(linspace(1,nt,nt),T_throat_NC,'color','c')
ylabel('Temperature')
legend({'Temperature at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0.6 1]);
grid minor;
%Pressure
subplot(4,1,3)
plot(linspace(1,nt,nt),Pressure_throat_NC,'color','g')
ylabel('Pressure')
legend({'Pressure at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0.4 1.1]);
grid minor
%Mach Number
subplot(4,1,4)
plot(linspace(1,nt,nt),Mach_number_throat_NC,'color','y')
xlabel('Timesteps')
ylabel('Mach Number')
legend({'Mach Number at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0.6 1.4]);
grid minor;
%Steady state simulation for primitve values for Non Conservative form
figure(3);
%Density
subplot(4,1,1);
plot(x,rho_NC,'color','m')
ylabel('Density')
legend({'Density'});
axis([0 3 0 1])
grid minor;
title('Variation of Flow Rate Distribution - NON CONSERVATIVE')
%Temperature
subplot(4,1,2);
plot(x,T_NC,'color','c')
ylabel('Temperature')
legend({'Temperature'});
axis([0 3 0 1])
grid minor;
%Pressure
subplot(4,1,3);
plot(x,Pressure_NC,'color','g')
ylabel('Pressure')
legend({'Pressure'});
axis([0 3 0 1])
grid minor;
%Mach number
subplot(4,1,4);
plot(x,Mach_number_NC,'color','y')
xlabel('Nozzle Length')
ylabel('Mach number')
legend({'Mach number'});
axis([0 3 0 4])
grid minor;
%FUNCTION FOR CONSERVATIVE FORM
tic;
[Mass_flow_rate_C, Pressure_C, Mach_number_C, rho_C, v_C, T_C, rho_throat_C, v_throat_C, T_throat_C, Mass_flow_rate_throat_C, Pressure_throat_C, Mach_number_throat_C] = Conservative_form(x, dx, n, gamma, nt, C);
Time_elasped_C = toc;
fprintf('Time Elasped for Conservative form: %0.4f', Time_elasped_C);
%PLOTTING
%Timestep variation of properties at throat area in Conservative form
figure(5)
%Density
subplot(4,1,1)
plot(rho_throat_C,'color','m')
ylabel('Density')
legend({'Density at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0 1]);
grid minor;
title('Timestep variation at throat area - CONSERVATIVE FORM')
%Temperature
subplot(4,1,2)
plot(T_throat_C,'color','c')
ylabel('Temperature')
legend({'Temperature at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0.6 1]);
grid minor;
%Pressure
subplot(4,1,3)
plot(Pressure_throat_C,'color','g')
ylabel('Pressure')
legend({'Pressure at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0.2 0.8]);
grid minor
%Mach Number
subplot(4,1,4)
plot(Mach_number_throat_C,'color','y')
xlabel('Timesteps')
ylabel('Mach Number')
legend({'Mach Number at throat'});
axis([0 1400 0.6 1.4]);
grid minor;
%Steady state simulation for primitve values for Non Conservative form
figure(6);
%Density
subplot(4,1,1);
plot(x,rho_C,'color','m')
ylabel('Density')
legend({'Density'});
axis([0 3 0 1])
grid minor;
title('Variation of Flow Rate Distribution - CONSERVATIVE FORM')
%Temperature
subplot(4,1,2);
plot(x,T_C,'color','c')
ylabel('Temperature')
legend({'Temperature'});
axis([0 3 0 1])
grid minor;
%Pressure
subplot(4,1,3);
plot(x,Pressure_C,'color','g')
ylabel('Pressure')
legend({'Pressure'});
axis([0 3 0 1])
grid minor;
%Mach number
subplot(4,1,4);
plot(x,Mach_number_C,'color','y')
xlabel('Nozzle Length')
ylabel('Mach number')
legend({'Mach number'});
axis([0 3 0 4])
grid minor;
%COMPARISON PLOT of Normalized Mass Flow Rate of both forms
figure(7)
hold on
plot(x,Mass_flow_rate_NC,'r','linewidth',1.25)
hold on;
plot(x,Mass_flow_rate_C,'b','linewidth',1.25)
hold on;
grid on
legend('Non Conservative','Conservative');
xlabel('Length of the Domain')
ylabel('Mass Flow Rate')
title('Comparison of Normalized Mass Flow Rate of both forms')
Explanation:
- Input parameters are assigned for the variables x, dx, n, gamma, nt and C.
- Non Conservative and Conservative forms are created as separate functions with the neccessary inputs which is detailed below this section.
- tic toc command is used for calculating the time elasped between the functions.
- Plotting is done for the following solutions
1)Timestep variation at throat area of both forms
2)Variation of Flow Rate Distribution of both forms
3)Comparison of Normalized Mass Flow Rate of both forms - Each plot is computed as subplots of four primitive variables such as Density, Temperature, Pressure and Mach Number at throat as well as Convergent/Divergent section.
Function Code for Non-Conservative Form:
%Function for Non-Conservative form
function [Mass_flow_rate_NC, Pressure_NC, Mach_number_NC, rho_NC, v_NC, T_NC, rho_throat_NC, v_throat_NC, T_throat_NC, Mass_flow_rate_throat_NC, Pressure_throat_NC, Mach_number_throat_NC] = Non_conservative_form(x, dx, n, gamma, nt, C)
%Intial boundary conditions
%Density
rho_NC = 1 - 0.3146*x;
%Temperature
T_NC = 1 - 0.2341*x;
%Velocity
v_NC = (0.1 + 1.09*x).*T_NC.^0.5;
%Area of the nozzle & Throat profiles
a = 1 + 2.2*(x - 1.5).^2;
throat = find(a==1);
%Outer Time Loop
for k = 1:nt
%Time-step control
dt = min(C.*dx./(sqrt(T_NC) + v_NC));
%Saving a copy of Old Values
rho_old = rho_NC;
T_old = T_NC;
v_old = v_NC;
%Predictor Method
for j = 2:n-1
%Simplifying the Equation's spatial terms
dv_dx = (v_NC(j + 1) - v_NC(j))/dx;
drho_dx = (rho_NC(j + 1) - rho_NC(j))/dx;
dT_dx = (T_NC(j + 1) - T_NC(j))/dx;
dlog_a_dx = (log(a(j + 1)) - log(a(j)))/dx;
%Continuity Equation
drho_dt_P(j) = -rho_NC(j)*dv_dx - rho_NC(j)*v_NC(j)*dlog_a_dx - v_NC(j)*drho_dx;
%Momentum Equation
dv_dt_P(j) = -v_NC(j)*dv_dx - (1/gamma)*(dT_dx + (T_NC(j)*drho_dx/rho_NC(j)));
%Energy Equation
dT_dt_P(j) = -v_NC(j)*dT_dx - (gamma - 1)*T_NC(j)*(dv_dx + v_NC(j)*dlog_a_dx);
%Solution Update
rho_NC(j) = rho_NC(j) + drho_dt_P(j)*dt;
v_NC(j) = v_NC(j) + dv_dt_P(j)*dt;
T_NC(j) = T_NC(j) + dT_dt_P(j)*dt;
end
%Corrector Method
for j = 2:n-1
%Simplifying the Equation's spatial terms
dv_dx = (v_NC(j) - v_NC(j - 1))/dx;
drho_dx = (rho_NC(j) - rho_NC(j - 1))/dx;
dT_dx = (T_NC(j) - T_NC(j - 1))/dx;
dlog_a_dx = (log(a(j)) - log(a(j - 1)))/dx;
%Continuity Equation
drho_dt_C(j) = - rho_NC(j)*dv_dx - rho_NC(j)*v_NC(j)*dlog_a_dx - v_NC(j)*drho_dx;
%Momentum Equation
dv_dt_C(j) = - v_NC(j)*dv_dx - (1/gamma)*(dT_dx + (T_NC(j)*drho_dx/rho_NC(j)));
%Energy Equation
dT_dt_C(j) = - v_NC(j)*dT_dx - (gamma - 1)*T_NC(j)*(dv_dx + v_NC(j)*dlog_a_dx);
end
%Compute Average Time derivative
drho_dt = 0.5.*(drho_dt_P + drho_dt_C);
dv_dt = 0.5.*(dv_dt_P + dv_dt_C);
dT_dt = 0.5.*(dT_dt_P + dT_dt_C);
%Final Solution Update
for i = 2:n-1
rho_NC(i) = rho_old(i) + drho_dt(i)*dt;
v_NC(i) = v_old(i) + dv_dt(i)*dt;
T_NC(i) = T_old(i) + dT_dt(i)*dt;
end
%Applying Boundary Conditions
%At Inlet
rho_NC(1) = 1;
v_NC(1) = 2*v_NC(2) - v_NC(3);
T_NC(1) = 1;
%At Outlet
rho_NC(n) = 2*rho_NC(n-1) - rho_NC(n - 2);
v_NC(n) = 2*v_NC(n - 1) - v_NC(n - 2);
T_NC(n) = 2*T_NC(n - 1) - T_NC(n - 2);
%Defining Mass flow rate, Pressure and Mach number
Mass_flow_rate_NC = rho_NC.*a.*v_NC;
Pressure_NC = rho_NC.*T_NC;
Mach_number_NC = (v_NC./sqrt(T_NC));
%Calculating Variables at throat section
rho_throat_NC(k) = rho_NC(throat);
T_throat_NC(k) = T_NC(throat);
v_throat_NC(k) = v_NC(throat);
Mass_flow_rate_throat_NC(k) = Mass_flow_rate_NC(throat);
Pressure_throat_NC(k) = Pressure_NC(throat);
Mach_number_throat_NC(k) = Mach_number_NC(throat);
%PLOTTING
%Comparison of non-dimensional Mass flow rates at different time steps
figure(1);
if k == 50
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_NC, 'm', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 100
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_NC, 'c', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 200
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_NC, 'g', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 400
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_NC, 'y', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 800
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_NC, 'k', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
end
%Labelling
title('Mass flow rates at different Timesteps - NON CONSERVATIVE FORM)')
xlabel('Distance')
ylabel('Mass flow rate')
legend({'50^t^h Timestep','100^t^h Timestep','200^t^h Timestep','400^t^h Timestep','800^t^h Timestep'})
axis([0 3 0 2])
grid on
end
end
Explanation:
- The purpose of the function is to calculate the values of
Mass flow rate, Pressure, Mach number, Density, velocity, Temperature, Density at throat, velocity at throat, Temperature at throat, Mass flow rate at throat, Pressure at throat, Mach number at throat by the known equations for all the grid points. - For this, the initial boundary conditions are established for Density, Temperature & Velocity profiles for calculating the nozzle area at throat.
- Now Outer Time loop is computed for for-loop to calculate all the grid points for various formulas inside the loop.
- MacCarmack technique is used to solve the numerical solution of governing equations such as Continuity, Momentum & Energy Equation.
- The technique implies two methods for solving namely Predictor method followed by Corrector method.
- Predictor & Corrector method are assigned within the for-loop individually for calculating values.
- The calculated values are averaged in the next step and updating the solution with old values.
- Boundary Conditions are applied within the for-loop and subsequently used for calculating the Mass Flow Rate, Mach Number & Pressure and also calculating the values throat section.
- Finally plotting is done for Distance(x) vs Mass Flow Rate for differrent Timesteps.
Function Code for Conservative Form:
%Function for Conservative form
function [Mass_flow_rate_C, Pressure_C, Mach_number_C, rho_C, v_C, T_C, rho_throat_C, v_throat_C, T_throat_C, Mass_flow_rate_throat_C, Pressure_throat_C, Mach_number_throat_C] = Conservative_form(x, dx, n, gamma, nt, C)
%Determining Initial profile of Density and Temperature
for i = 1:n
if (x(i) >= 0 && x(i) <= 0.5)
rho_C(i) = 1;
T_C(i) = 1;
elseif (x(i) >= 0.5 && x(i) <= 1.5)
rho_C(i) = 1 - 0.366*(x(i) - 0.5);
T_C(i) = 1 - 0.167*(x(i) - 0.5);
elseif (x(i) >= 1.5 && x(i) <= 3)
rho_C(i) = 0.634 - 0.3879*(x(i) - 1.5);
T_C(i) = 0.833 - 0.3507*(x(i) - 1.5);
end
end
%Area & Throat profiles
a = 1 + 2.2*(x - 1.5).^2;
throat = find(a==1);
%Initial profile fot Velocity and Pressure
v_C = 0.59./(rho_C.*a);
Pressure_C = rho_C.*T_C;
%Calculate the Initial Solution Vectors(U)
U1 = rho_C.*a;
U2 = rho_C.*a.*v_C;
U3 = rho_C.*a.*(T_C./(gamma - 1)) + ((gamma/2).*v_C.^2);
%Outer Time Loop
for k =1:nt
%Time-step control
dt = min(C.*dx./(sqrt(T_C) + v_C));
%Saving a copy of Old Values
U1_old = U1;
U2_old = U2;
U3_old = U3;
%Calculating the Flux vector(F)
F1 = U2;
F2 = ((U2.^2)./U1) + ((gamma - 1)/gamma)*(U3 - (gamma/2)*((U2.^2)./U1));
F3 = ((gamma*U2.*U3)./U1) - (gamma*(gamma - 1)*((U2.^3)./(2*U1.^2)));
%Predictor Method
for j = 2:n-1
%Calculating the Source term(J)
J2(j) = (1/gamma)*rho_C(j)*T_C(j)*((a(j + 1) - a(j))/dx);
%Continuity Equation
dU1_dt_P(j) = -((F1(j + 1) - F1(j))/dx);
%Momentum Equation
dU2_dt_P(j) = -((F2(j + 1) - F2(j))/dx) + J2(j);
%Energy Equation
dU3_dt_P(j) = -((F3(j + 1) - F3(j))/dx);
%Updating New values
U1(j) = U1(j) + dU1_dt_P(j)*dt;
U2(j) = U2(j) + dU2_dt_P(j)*dt;
U3(j) = U3(j) + dU3_dt_P(j)*dt;
end
%Updating Flux vectors
F1 = U2;
F2 = ((U2.^2)./U1) + ((gamma - 1)/gamma)*(U3 - ((gamma*0.5*(U2.^2))./(U1)));
F3 = ((gamma*U2.*U3)./U1) - ((gamma*0.5*(gamma - 1)*(U2.^3))./(U1.^2));
%Corrector Method
for j = 2:n-1
%Updating the Source term(J)
J2(j) = (1/gamma)*rho_C(j)*T_C(j)*((a(j) - a(j - 1))/dx);
%Simplifying the Equation's spatial terms
dU1_dt_C(j) = -((F1(j) - F1(j - 1))/dx);
dU2_dt_C(j) = -((F2(j) - F2(j - 1))/dx) + J2(j);
dU3_dt_C(j) = -((F3(j) - F3(j - 1))/dx);
end
%Compute Average Time derivative
dU1_dt = 0.5*(dU1_dt_P + dU1_dt_C);
dU2_dt = 0.5*(dU2_dt_P + dU2_dt_C);
dU3_dt = 0.5*(dU3_dt_P + dU3_dt_C);
%Final Solution Update
for i = 2:n-1
U1(i) = U1_old(i) + dU1_dt(i)*dt;
U2(i) = U2_old(i) + dU2_dt(i)*dt;
U3(i) = U3_old(i) + dU3_dt(i)*dt;
end
%Applying Boundary Conditions
%At Inlet
U1(1) = rho_C(1)*a(1);
U2(1) = 2*U2(2) - U2(3);
v_C(1) = U2(1)./U1(1);
U3(1) = U1(1)*((T_C(1)/(gamma - 1)) + ((gamma/2)*(v_C(1)).^2));
%At Outlet
U1(n) = 2*U1(n - 1) - U1(n - 2);
U2(n) = 2*U2(n - 1) - U2(n - 2);
U3(n) = 2*U3(n - 1) - U3(n - 2);
%Final? Primitive value update
rho_C = U1./a;
v_C = U2./U1;
T_C = (gamma - 1)*((U3./U1 - (gamma/2)*(v_C).^2));
%Defining Mass flow rate, Pressure and Mach number
Mass_flow_rate_C = rho_C.*a.*v_C;
Pressure_C = rho_C.*T_C;
Mach_number_C = (v_C./sqrt(T_C));
%Calculating Variables at throat section
rho_throat_C(k) = rho_C(throat);
T_throat_C(k) = T_C(throat);
v_throat_C(k) = v_C(throat);
Mass_flow_rate_throat_C(k) = Mass_flow_rate_C(throat);
Pressure_throat_C(k) = Pressure_C(throat);
Mach_number_throat_C(k) = Mach_number_C(throat);
%PLOTTING
%Comparison of non-dimensional Mass flow rates at different time steps
figure(4)
if k == 50
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_C, 'm', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 100
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_C, 'c', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 200
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_C, 'g', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 400
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_C, 'y', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
elseif k == 800
plot(x, Mass_flow_rate_C, 'k', 'linewidth', 1.25);
hold on
end
%Labelling
title('Mass flow rates at different Timesteps - CONSERVATIVE FORM')
xlabel('Distance')
ylabel('Mass flow rate')
legend({'50^t^h Timestep','100^t^h Timestep','200^t^h Timestep','400^t^h Timestep','800^t^h Timestep'})
axis([0 3 0.4 1])
grid on
end
end
Explanation:
- The purpose of the function is to calculate the values of
Mass flow rate, Pressure, Mach number, Density, velocity, Temperature, Density at throat, velocity at throat, Temperature at throat, Mass flow rate at throat, Pressure at throat, Mach number at throat by the known equations for all the grid points.
To determine the initial profile of Density & Temperature, for loop is used inputing the known conditions within an else-if command. - Initial values of area, throat, velocity & Pressure are calculated using formulas.
- In order to simplify and avoid errors, equation is splitted into Solution Vector(U), Flux Vector(F) and Source Term(J).
- Now Outer Time loop is computed for for loop to calculate all the grid points for various formulas inside the loop.
- MacCarmack technique is used to solve the numerical solution of governing equations such as Continuity, Momentum & Energy Equation.
- The technique implies two methods for solving namely Predictor method followed by Corrector method.
- Predictor & Corrector method are assigned within the for loop individually for calculating values.
- The calculated values are averaged in the next step and updating the solution with old values.
- Boundary Conditions are applied within the for-loop and subsequently used for calculating the Mass Flow Rate, Mach Number & Pressure and also calculating the values throat section.
- Finally plotting is done for Distance(x) vs Mass Flow Rate for differrent Timesteps.
Results:







Plot Explaination:
Mass flow rate at different timesteps:
The First Two plots shows that Mass Flow Rate at different Time steps along the Distance oscillates initially, however the solution becomes stable after the 400th Timestep for both the forms attaining a constant value.
Time Step variation at Throat Area:
From the 3rd and 4th plots we can conclude that initial variations observed in Non Conservative form for a certain period of time makes it consume higher amount of time to acheive stable solution when compared to Conservative form.
Variation of Flow Rate Distribution:
In the 5th and 6th plots we could see that both the forms are in same phase giving the exact same solution for all the values.
Comparison of Normalized Mass Flow Rate for both the forms:
Eventhough the final solution of both the forms are almost similar, the Non Conservative form oscillates much when compared to Conservative form. The latter also gives almost stable solution along the length. By this we can conclude that Conservative form attains stability in lesser number of iterations with earliest time.
Taking into consideration from all the above results we can evidently conclude that Conservative form converges slightly faster than Non Conservative form offering stable solution along the simulation.