Effect of cavitation modelling on the prediction of the lubrication performance using CFD: A case study of journal bearing lubricated with non-newtonian

Abstract

The effect of cavitation on the lubrication performance of the journal bearing operating with non-Newtonian lubricant is studied. The non-Newtonian behaviour of lubricant is addressed based on power law fluid model. The hydrodynamic performance in terms of pressure distribution and load carrying capacity and how it depends on power law index are explored using CFD (computational fluid dynamic). The comparison between the case of "no-cavitation" and the "with cavitation" for the lubrication analysis is also performed. It is found that including the cavitation modelling in the analysis gives a more accurate prediction with respect to the load carrying capacity and vortex development. In addition, more significant error between the case of 'no cavitation' and the case of 'with cavitation' is found when n = 1 (i.e. Newtonian lubricant).