CFD Analysis of Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing Operating with Non-Newtonian Lubricant

EasyChair Preprint 12407

Abstract

The hydrodynamic journal bearing is a crucial machine element used to support radial load in turbomachines. The research in journal bearings focuses on enhancing the steady state and dynamic performance indices. This study deals with the CFD simulations of hydrodynamic journal bearing operating with non-Newtonian lubricants. The CFD simulations have been performed using the Fluent module of Ansys 2023. The Power law fluid model has been used to describe the non-Newtonian character of the lubricant. The plots are generated for maximum fluid pressure, film pressure distribution, and turbulence dissipation for the Newtonian, pseudoplastic, and Dilatant nature of lubricant. Insights into fluid film pressure distribution and turbulence dissipation rates inform guiding designers for improved performance. Understanding maximum pressure trends is vital for design assessment, preventing failures, and optimizing the durability of the hydrodynamic journal bearings. Practical applications for machine designers include a comprehensive understanding of design parameters' impact on performance, ensuring reliability in turbomachines. Overall, the research contributes to the field, offering academic and simulation insights of a hydrodynamic journal bearing.

Keyphrases: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Hydrodynamic journal bearing, Non-Newtonian lubricant

@booklet{EasyChair:12407,
  author    = {Pranav Mehrotra and Paras Seth and Ishaan Nagpal and Devansh Rastogi and Vivek Kumar},
  title     = {CFD Analysis of Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing Operating with Non-Newtonian Lubricant},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 12407},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2024}}