The evaluation of critical pressure ratios of sonic nozzles at low Reynolds numbers

Abstract

A sonic nozzle is presently used as a reference flow-meter in the area of gas flow-rate measurement. The critical pressure ratio of the sonic nozzle is an important factor in maintaining its operating condition. ISO 9300 suggested that the critical ratio of a sonic nozzle should be a function of area ratio. In this study, 13 nozzles designed according to ISO 9300, with diffuser half angles of 2°–8° and throat diameters of 0.28 to 4.48 mm were tested. The testing result for the angles of 2°–6° are similar to that of ISO 9300. But the critical ratio for the nozzle of 8° decreases by 5.5% in comparison with ISO 9300. However, ISO 9300 does not predict the critical pressure ratio at Reynolds numbers lower than 10 5. To express the critical pressure ratio of sonic nozzles at low Reynolds numbers, it is found that the critical pressure ratio should be related as a function of Reynolds number rather than area ratio, as used by ISO 9300. A correlated relation of critical pressure ratios and low Reynolds numbers for small sonic nozzles is suggested in this investigation, with an uncertainty of ±3.2% at 95% confidence level.