Numerical Investigation of Short Bearing Lubricated with Copper Oxide Nanolubricants

Abstract

Performance of short hydrodynamic journal bearing lubricated with Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle suspensions in base oil (nanolubricants) is investigated numerically. Dimensionless pressure, load carrying capacity and friction parameter are calculated by numerical solution of the modified Reynolds equation by means of finite difference method. The particular values of couple stress parameter for nanolubricants are evaluated and used for finding pressure distribution. Modified Krieger Dougherty equation is used to predict the viscosity of nanolubricant. Two short bearing configurations with aspect ratio 0.25 and 0.5 are analyzed by evaluating the pressure profile, load carrying capacity and friction parameter. The comparative results between plain lubricants and nanolubricants are presented. The results reveal improved pressure and load carrying capacity accompanied by decrease in friction parameter of short bearing. The shorter bearing configuration with aspect ratio of 0.25 shows better results than the others.