Isentropic Flow Calculator

The state of a calorically-perfect gas is represented by a simple model. If the gas is accelerated to some speed without increasing its entropy, its thermodynamic energy is exchanged for kinetic energy. It is customary to characterize the state of such a moving gas in terms of its reservoir (aka stagnation, aka total) state.

This model converts between static and total states. It incorporates the usual isentropic relations; however, it makes no representations about the spatial scale of the flow or whether it is internal or external (so does not represent the spatial aspects of quasi-1D duct flows, for example the area ratio). Also this model solves some special situations where there is incomplete information about both states.

Press to see the model. Try your own inputs or the examples below. Refresh your browser to clear results.

Mach number and static state

  1. Choose a Mach number of 0.5 M = 0.5 . The model infers temperature ratio and other ratios. These ratios express the difference between the total and static state of the fluid.
  2. To find the total state of the fluid, assert the static temperature and pressure, such as T = 300 K and P = 1 bar. The model then uses the ratios calculated in step 1 to infer the total state.

Key results are the total state Total and the static state Static .

Total state and a static state variable

  1. Choose a total temperature of 2020 K Total.T = 2020 and total density of 5 kg/m³ Total.r = 5 .
  2. Now choose the desired property for the static state, such as a temperature of 500 K T = 500 .

Advanced: Mixed states and a branch

  1. Choose a static temperature of 200 K T = 200  and mass flow rate per unit area of 100 kg/m²/s G = 100 .
  2. Now choose the desired total pressure, such as 10 bar Total.P = 10 .
  3. Finally, choose which branch of the solution to solve for dP = false .