MODELING CAVITATION EFFECTS ON LOW SPEED INDUSTRIAL JOURNAL BEARING LUBRICATION

Abstract

An effective lubrication of journal bearings is jeopardized due to the formation and activity of air cavities in the lubricant. Cavitation affects the buildup of hydrodynamic pressures adversely & lowers the hydrodynamic load carrying capacity of journal bearing. The cavitation effects are quite pronounced for varying speed and eccentricity ratios of journal bearing. In an extreme case, cavitation may cause wear and seizure of the journal bearing. This work will model the cavitation phenomenon and its effects on the journal bearing lubrication numerically using Universal Cavitation Algorithm leading to a single Reynolds equation which is valid for both the full film (liquid) and cavitation zones. The parametric study at commercially available different lubricating oils for varying eccentricity ratios of the journal to bush radial clearances will be conducted for optimization under the stated cavitation conditions for an in-depth analysis for the logical conclusions.