Temperature, flow and eccentricity measurements in a journal bearing with a single axial groove at 90º to the load line

Parametric experiments have been conducted to analyse the influence of some supply conditions on the performance of a steadily loaded journal bearing. Temperature distribution on the internal surface, flowrate and bearing eccentricity were measured for different sets of operating conditions, at variable supply conditions. Quantitative information is provided which shows the effect of both shaft speed and applied load on maximum bush temperature and flowrate. It has been observed that flowrate was modestly affected by load and significantly affected by rotational speed, oil supply temperature and supply pressure. Maximum bush temperature was modestly affected by supply pressure, moderately affected by load and significantly affected by shaft speed. For low applied loads, the attitude angle was markedly affected by supply pressure. The experimental results also showed that for a small groove length there is a variation of bush temperature in axial direction in the groove region.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - PRAXIS XXI Programme/BD/13922/9

IJTC2008-71099 AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON FRICTION COEFFICIENT IN PLAIN JOURNAL BEARINGS DURING START-UP

ABSTRACT The start-up friction coefficient is a parameter which is very useful for engineers who design hydrodynamic bearings

The role of lubricant feed temperature on the performance of twin groove journal bearings : an experimental study

An experimental assessment of the influence of lubricant feed temperature (Tf) on the behaviour of twin groove hydrodynamic journal bearings has been undertaken. Several loads, shaft speeds and bearing geometries were tested under constant lubricant feed pressure (pf), while Tf took four different values between 29ºC and 58ºC. It was found that the increase of Tf has an effect in bearing performance which is analogous in many ways to the effect of the increase in eccentricity: increase in lubricant flow rate (especially in the low eccentricity range), in outlet temperature (Tout) and in maximum bush temperature (Tmax). Nevertheless, the latter increase was lower than the corresponding increase in Tf. Also, in the high eccentricity range the increase in flow rate due to the increase of Tf could be deceiving in the sense that the additional flow was supplied mainly to the inactive region of the bearing (the unloaded land of the bearing).Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Production of n-propyl acetate by reactive distillation : experimental and theoretical study

First steps of the development of a catalytic reactive distillation process for the production of n-propyl acetate based on experiments and simulations are proposed. The kinetics for homogeneously (sulphuric acid) and heterogeneously (Amberlyst 15) catalysed reaction were investigated and the constants for a pseudo-homogeneous model are presented. Pilot plant experiments were performed using a homogeneous strong acid catalyst in a packed column. A top-column decanter is used to withdraw the aqueous phase and to reflux the organic phase. Simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data. Thermodynamics nonidealities are taken into account using VLE and LLE NRTL interaction parameters. Alcohol conversion and n-propyl acetate purity may be dramatically increased just by adding to the pilot plant a stripping section in an additional column: six different configurations are identified to achieve such a production. The startup is studied in order to determine the best strategy to achieve steady-state conditions. The strong influence of the composition of the initial charging in the decanter can be seen and an initial charging of the two-phase top product leads to the fastest startup

The work on hydrodynamic journal bearings carried out at Minho University in the last 30 years

The hydrodynamic journal bearing is still one of the most geometrically simple mechanical components, yet highly reliable and efficient and, above all, unique in what concerns to heavy duty – high load, high speed – support of rotating shafts. Analytical studies, not only to understand the physical basis of its performance, but also to develop practical tools for an expedite design, as well as to assure its reliability and improved efficiency, were object of the early developments in fluids’ hydrodynamic sciences, since the late XIX century, and are still been refined and improved on the XXI century. Historical marks can be flagged as (i) simplified analytical resolutions of the hydrodynamic pressure distribution; (ii) computerized iterative resolution of the full pressure development equations; (iii) introduction of the lubricant feeding conditions; (iv) analysis of the thermal aspects and its influence on viscosity; (v) localized aspects of fluid flow, due to thermal/viscous phenomena and geometrical particularities. This evolution led to increased accuracy on the performance predictions and to safer and higher efficiency of the designed components. On the other hand, analysis became more specific in use and, particularly with the introduction of the thermo-hydrodynamic analysis, led to the need of ‘tailored’ solutions to a given set of specific conditions. As a consequence, methods lost much of their ‘universality’ and ease of use to the common and sporadic designer. This work intents to make a first evaluation of the response of three prediction methods – a commercial and widely used isothermal approach and an isothermal and a thermohydrodynamic procedures, these former developed at UMinho over the last years – in an attempt to highlight the variability of the predictions of the main performance parameters by the use of simpler and rapid methods, when compared with those based on more complex and accurate analysis, and their eventual influence on an efficient and reliable design solution

Influence des conditions d’alimentation sur l’amélioration des performances et la réduction du frottement dans les paliers

The performance of hydrodynamic journal bearings is significantly affected by the conditions under which the lubricant is fed to the bearing. However, many conventional analyses are not prepared to suitably incorporate these parameters and their effect on bearing performance, due to the over-simplified way they treat them. A thermohydrodynamic analysis suitable for conveniently deal with lubricant feeding conditions is now presented. It couples the numerical solution of the generalized Reynolds equation, the energy equations within the lubricant film and the heat transfer within the bush body. Special attention has been given to the treatment of the phenomena taking place within the grooves and in their vicinity, as well as to the ruptured film region. The effect that lubricant feed pressure and temperature, groove length ratio, groove width ratio and groove number (single / twin) have on bearing performance has been analyzed for a broad range of conditions. The results were found to be in good agreement with experimental published results and the robustness of the model to suitably treat these phenomena has been confirmed. It was found that a careful tuning of the feeding conditions may indeed improve bearing performance.Les performances des paliers lisses hydrodynamiques sont significativement affectées par les conditions dans lesquelles le lubrifiant est introduit dans le palier. Cependant, de nombreuses analyses classiques ne sont pas prêtes à intégrer convenablement ces paramètres et leurs effets sur les performances des paliers, en raison de la façon trop simplifiée avec laquelle ils les traitent. Une analyse thermohydrodynamique appropriée pour traiter convenablement les conditions d'alimentation de lubrifiant est maintenant présenté. Elle intègre la solution numérique simultanée des équations de Reynolds généralisée, de l'énergie dans le film lubrifiant et de la de chaleur dans le coussinet. Une attention particulière a été portée pour le traitement des phénomènes se produisant dans les rainures et dans leur voisinage, ainsi que dans la région de rupture du film. L'influence de la pression et de la température d'alimentation en lubrifiant, de la longueur et largeur de la rainure et du nombre de rainures (simple ou double) sur les performances du palier a été analysée pour un large éventail de conditions. Les résultats numériques obtenus sont en bon accord avec ceux issus de la littérature expérimentale et la robustesse du modèle à traiter convenablement ces phénomènes a pu être confirmée. Il a été constaté qu'un réglage minutieux des conditions d'alimentation peut effectivement améliorer les performances.FCT - POCTI/EME/39202/2001 & Postdoctoral grant SFRH/BPD/89553/201

On the occurrence of negative groove flow rate in twin groove hydrodynamic journal bearings

This paper describes the phenomenon of negative flow rate (hot oil reflux) occurring in one of the grooves of twin axial groove hydrodynamic journal bearings. This rarely described phenomenon, which can occur under severe operating conditions, increases the risk of bearing seizure. Existing codes for predicting bearing behaviour do not seem to be suitably incorporating this phenomenon into the analysis. The present work reports some experimental observations of the phenomenon and the way it can be taken into account in theoretical modelling.FCT - POCTI/39202/EME/2001 & PhD grant SFRH/BD/22278/200

Thermohydrodynamic modelling of journal bearings under varying load angle and negative groove flow rate

The performance of hydrodynamic journal bearings is affected by the conditions under which the lubricant is fed to the bearing gap. Axial grooves are often used and, depending on their location relatively to the load line, they might substantially interfere with the hydrodynamic pressure generation and the thermal behaviour of the bearing. However, many of the existing tools for predicting bearing performance are not able to suitably predict bearing behaviour under varying load angle given the oversimplified way under which they treat lubricant feeding conditions. The present work proposes a detailed Thermohydrodynamic approach which realistically incorporates these conditions into the bearing analysis. Special care is put on the mass and energy-conserving models of the ruptured film region and on a detailed treatment of lubricant mixing within the vicinity of grooves. This includes the first full modelling of the effect of negative flow rate in a groove, a phenomenon originally described experimentally in detail by the authors in previous publications, and which happens for a broad range of load/groove angles. An extensive investigation on the influence of loading direction on the performance of twin groove journal bearings has been performed. This parameter is found to affect deeply all major performance parameters due to the interference of groove regions in the hydrodynamic pressure generation and in the flow rates at each groove.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT