Mixer (engine) - Mixer Types

Mixer Types

  • Annular - bypass and core streams are brought together co-annularly, mixing being achieved by the shearing effect at the stream interface
  • Forced - hot and cold chutes, intertwined, force the two streams to mix

Mixing efficiency is defined in a number of ways, but simplily, compares the actual thrust gain (due to mixing) to that of the ideal case. Annular mixers have a low pressure loss, but a low mixing efficiency. Forced mixers can have a high mixing efficiency, but this is offset by a high pressure loss.

Mixers are extremely common on military turbofans, since long coaxial exhaust pipes (i.e. hot and cold) are avoided. Afterburning, with the associated variable area nozzle, is also easier to accommodate.

Some high bypass ratio (e.g. civil) turbofans now feature a mixer, the advantage being a small thrust gain, which improves specific fuel consumption. Although the mixing process is not thorough, there is a jet noise benefit as well.

Read more about this topic:  Mixer (engine)

Famous quotes containing the word types:

    If there is nothing new on the earth, still the traveler always has a resource in the skies. They are constantly turning a new page to view. The wind sets the types on this blue ground, and the inquiring may always read a new truth there.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)