Aero gas turbine engines have an exhaust system which passes the turbine discharge gases to atmosphere at a velocity, and in the required direction, to provide the resultant thrust. The velocity and pressure of the exhaust gases create the thrust in the turbo-jet engine (para. 5) but in the turbopropeller engine only a small amount of thrust is contributed by the exhaust gases, because most of the energy has been absorbed by the turbine for driving the propeller. The design of the exhaust system therefore, exerts a considerable influence on the performance of the engine. The areas of the jet pipe and propelling or outlet nozzle affect the turbine entry temperature, the mass airflow and the velocity and pressure of the exhaust jet.
The temperature of the gas entering the exhaust system is between 550 and 850 deg. C. according to the type of engine and with the use of afterburning (Part 16) can be 1,500 deg. C. or higher. Therefore, it is necessary to use materials and a form of construction that will resist distortion and cracking, and prevent heat conduction to the aircraft structure.
A basic exhaust system is shown in fig. 6-1. The use of a thrust reverser (Part 15), noise suppressor (Part 19) and a two position propelling nozzle entails a more complicated system as shown in fig. 6-2. The low by-pass engine may also include a mixer unit (fig. 6-4) to encourage a thorough mixing of the hot and cold gas streams.
