Static characteristics of thermohydrodynamic journal bearing operating under lubricants containing nanoparticles

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this work is to investigate the static performance characteristics of thermohydrodynamic journal bearing operating under nanolubricants (lubricants containing per cent weight concentration of nanoparticles). Design/methodology/approach – Addition of nanoparticles in the lubricant increases lubricant viscosity. To study the effect of this variation on journal bearing, analytical models are developed for the relationship between viscosity, 0-0.5 per cent weight concentration of nanoparticles and temperature range of 300-900°C. To obtain pressure and temperature distribution, modified Reynolds and energy equations are solved by using the finite element method. The viscosity field (varies with temperature and per cent weight concentration of nanoparticles) is updated in these two equations by using the developed analytical model. The steady-state performance characteristics are computed for various values of eccentricity ratios for non-thermoviscous (viscosity of lubricant varies with per cent weight concentration of nanoparticles) and thermoviscous (viscosity of lubricant varies with per cent weight concentration of nanoparticles and temperature) cases. The lubricant and the nanoparticles used for the present work are SAE15W40, copper oxide (CuO), cerium oxide (CeO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Findings – The pressure and temperature distribution across the lubricant film in the clearance space of journal bearing and static performance characteristics are calculated. Originality/value – The computed results show that addition of nanoparticles in the lubricant influences the performance characteristics considerable in thermoviscous case than non-thermoviscous case.