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 Lect 29

Propeller Theories
1) Momentum Theory
2) Blade Element Theory
• The first one does not use the blade shape
for design or analysis at all.
• The second set of theories use the propeller
blade shapes made up of stacked airfoils.
• Both the theories are used, to design and
predict the propeller performance, using the
fundamental parameters defined earlier.

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

(or Actuator Disk Theory)

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Assumptions for conceptual modeling of a

propeller (Fig.)
1) The propeller is assumed to be replaced
by an ‘actuator disk’, a flow energizer.
2) The ‘disk’ is assumed to be of very small
thickness and is a continuous and 100%
porous body of no mass, with a projected
frontal area ‘A’ (swept area) equal to the
annulus of the rotating propeller blades.
3) There is no ‘resistance’ (i.e. drag) of the
air passing through the ‘actuator disk’, (since
there are no propeller blades)

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Assumptions for modeling of a propeller

4) The axial velocity, V1 through the ‘disk’ is

uniform over the ‘actuation’ area and is
considered to be smooth across the disk i.e.
no abrupt changes are ‘experienced’.

5) The received energy manifests itself in

the working medium (i.e. air) finally in the
form of differential pressure (p2 – p1), a
jump change across the actuator disk,
uniformly distributed across the disk surface.

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Assumptions for modeling of a propeller

6) The fluid medium, air, is a assumed to be a

perfect incompressible fluid. Flow is assumed
‘irrotational’ in front of and behind the disk,
but not through it.
and
7) The static pressures far from the disk, i.e.
far upstream and far downstream, are both
assumed equal to the atmospheric pressure.
The corresponding velocities are independent
values, to be determined separately.

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

The mass flow through the disk from continuity,
is m = ρ.A.V
The thrust produced by the disk from Newton’s
II and III laws (change in momentum in air )
resulting in reaction force, thrust.
T =m  .∂V = ρ.A.V.(Ve – V∞)
From simple fluid statics, thrust is produced by
the differential static pressure on either side of
the disk ,multiplied by its surface area (swept
area)
T = A (P2– P1)
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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

Applying Bernoulli’s equation on either side
of the disk, but not through it, gives
[note : Bernoulli’s theory is not valid if any
energy is added within the flow domain.]

P∞ + ½ ρ V∞ 2 = P1 + ½ ρ V12 --upstream
P2+ ½ ρ V2 2 = P∞ + ½ ρ Ve2 --downstream
Using, V1= V2 = constant through the disk,
P2 – P1 = ½. ρ. (Ve2 - V∞2)
From above equations V1= ½. (Ve + V∞)

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

• This simple analysis shows that the air flow

velocity through the actuator disk is the
mean of the velocities far upstream and far
downstream of the propeller.
• This simple conclusion drawn out of the
simplified flow model permits design,
analysis, and even experimental verification
of the propeller performance rather quickly.
Thus, thrust T = ½. ρ.(Ve2 - V∞2).A

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

The velocity at the disk comes out to be the

free stream axial velocity, V∞ plus induced
(axial) velocity (v), whereas, the far
downstream velocity is equal to the free
stream velocity plus two times the induced
velocity, v.
V1 = V∞ + v ; and Ve = V∞ + 2.v
Therefore , T = ρ A (V∞ + v) 2.v = 2. m ..v

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

From the equation the induced velocity, v,

can be found as,
[- V∞ + {V∞2 - (2T / ρ . A)}]
v =
2
For a static thrust, where the propeller is not
in forward motion (at take off), V∞ = zero,
T
v=
2 ρ.A

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

So, power input needed for static thrust

production (at Take off),

Power at T.O. in
P = T 3/ 2
2ρ A

Where A is the swept area of the propeller

And, ρ is the air density

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

The ideal efficiency can be calculated by
using classical definition of efficiency ,
ηp =Pout / Pin.
Power output needs to be equal to thrust
generated by the disk multiplied by velocity
of the actuator disk through the air medium
(i.e. flight velocity of the aircraft). The power
input is the thrust generated by the disk
multiplied by the airflow velocity through the
disk at the disk plane,
Pout = T V∞ and Pin = T V1
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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

Therefore, ηi = Pout / Pin

= T.V∞ / T.V1
= V∞ / [½(V∞ + Ve)]
= 2V∞ / (Ve + V∞)

Therefore, ηi = 1/ [1 + (v / V∞ )]

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

• The efficiency estimated using momentum

theory is referred to as “induced efficiency”.

• The induced efficiency is zero for zero

forward velocity and approaches 1.0 as
induced velocity, v, tends towards zero.

• The induced efficiency reaches a maxima

but does not show any fall with increasing J

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

Efficiency ηi

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Propeller Characteristics

Max Efficiency

Max Thrust

Max Power

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Momentum Theory for Propeller

• Induced efficiency cannot be realized as the
energy lost in the rotational motion acquired
by the flow in passing through the propeller.
• Losses due to non uniform thrust loading
over the blade length.
• Blade interference losses due the interaction
of flows over the neighbouring blades.
• Propeller profile drag losses, incurred over
all the blade surfaces , and
• Changes in flow properties due to effect of
compressibility, which are not accounted for.
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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Propeller thrust and power distribution in the disk

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay
 Lect 29

Next ….

Propeller Blade element Theory

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Prof. Bhaskar Roy, Prof. A M Pradeep, Department of Aerospace, IIT Bombay