Three-Dimensional Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic Computational Fluid Dynamics Model of a Tilting Pad Journal Bearing—Part I: Static Response

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongin Yang ◽  
Alan Palazzolo

This paper presents the first simulation model of a tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB) using three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including multiphase flow, thermal-fluid, transitional turbulence, and thermal deformation of the shaft and pads employing two-way fluid–structure interaction (FSI). Part I presents a modeling method for the static performance. The model includes flow between pads BP, which eliminates the use of an uncertain, mixing coefficient (MC) in Reynold's equation approaches. The CFD model is benchmarked with Reynold's model with a 3D thermal-film, when the CFD model boundary conditions are consistent with the Reynolds boundary conditions. The Reynolds model employs an oversimplified MC representation of the three-dimensional mixing effect of the BP flow and heat transfer, and it also employs simplifying assumptions for the flow and heat transfer within the thin film between the journal and bearing. This manufactured comparison shows good agreement between the CFD and Reynold's equation models. The CFD model is generalized by removing these fictitious boundary conditions on pad inlets and outlets and instead models the flow and temperature between pads. The results show that Reynold's model MC approach can lead to significant differences with the CFD model including detailed flow and thermal modeling between pads. Thus, the CFD approach provides increased reliability of predictions. The paper provides an instructive methodology including detailed steps for properly applying CFD to tilt pad bearing modeling. Parts I and II focus on predicting static and dynamic response characteristic responses, respectively.

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongin Yang ◽  
Alan Palazzolo

Part II presents a novel approach for predicting dynamic coefficients for a tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element method (FEM), including fully coupled elastic deflection, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics. Part I presented a similarly novel, high fidelity approach for TPJB static response prediction which is a prerequisite for the dynamic characteristic determination. The static response establishes the equilibrium operating point values for eccentricity, attitude angle, deflections, temperatures, pressures, etc. The stiffness and damping coefficients are obtained by perturbing the pad and journal motions about this operating point to determine changes in forces and moments. The stiffness and damping coefficients are presented in “synchronously reduced form” as required by American Petroleum Institute (API) vibration standards. Similar to Part I, an advanced three-dimensional thermal—Reynolds equation code validates the CFD code for the special case when flow Between Pad (BP) regions is ignored, and the CFD and Reynolds pad boundary conditions are made identical. The results show excellent agreement for this validation case. Similar to the static response case, the dynamic characteristics from the Reynolds model show large discrepancies compared with the CFD results, depending on the Reynolds mixing coefficient (MC). The discrepancies are a concern given the key role that stiffness and damping coefficients serve instability and response predictions in rotordynamics software. The uncertainty of the MC and its significant influence on static and dynamic response predictions emphasizes a need to utilize the CFD approach for TPJB simulation in critical machines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 254 ◽  
pp. 08005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Ferfecki ◽  
Jaroslav Zapoměl ◽  
Marek Gebauer ◽  
Václav Polreich ◽  
Jiří Křenek

Rotor vibration attenuation is achieved with damping devices which work on different, often mutually coupled, physical principles. Squeeze film dampers are damping devices that have been widely used in rotordynamic applications. A new concept of a 5-segmented integral squeeze film damper, in which a flexure pivot tilting pad journal bearing is integrated, was investigated. The damper is studied for the eccentric position between the outer and inner ring of the squeeze film land. The ANSYS CFX software was used for solving the pressure and velocity distribution. The development of the complex three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model of the squeeze film damper, learning more about the effect of the forces in the damper, and the knowledge about the behaviour of the flow are the principal contributions of this article.


2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongin Yang ◽  
Alan Palazzolo

Abstract The core contributions of Part I (1) present a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based approach for tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB) modeling including thermo-elasto hydrodynamic (TEHD) effects with multi-mode pad flexibility, (2) validate the model by comparison with experimental work, and (3) investigate the limitations of the conventional approach by contrasting it with the new approach. The modeling technique is advanced from the author’s previous work by including pad flexibility. The results demonstrate that the conventional approach of disregarding the three-dimensional flow physics between pads (BP) can generate significantly different pressure, temperature, heat flux, dynamic viscosity, and film thickness distributions, relative to the high-fidelity CFD model. The uncertainty of the assumed mixing coefficient (MC) may be a serious weakness when using a conventional, TPJB Reynolds model, leading to prediction errors in static and dynamic performance. The advanced mixing prediction method for “BP” thermal flow developed in Part I will be implemented with machine learning techniques in Part II to provide a means to enhance the accuracy of conventional Reynolds based TPJB models.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 8573
Author(s):  
Franco Concli

For decades, journal bearings have been designed based on the half-Sommerfeld equations. The semi-analytical solution of the conservation equations for mass and momentum leads to the pressure distribution along the journal. However, this approach admits negative values for the pressure, phenomenon without experimental evidence. To overcome this, negative values of the pressure are artificially substituted with the vaporization pressure. This hypothesis leads to reasonable results, even if for a deeper understanding of the physics behind the lubrication and the supporting effects, cavitation should be considered and included in the mathematical model. In a previous paper, the author has already shown the capability of computational fluid dynamics to accurately reproduce the experimental evidences including the Kunz cavitation model in the calculations. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results were compared in terms of pressure distribution with experimental data coming from different configurations. The CFD model was coupled with an analytical approach in order to calculate the equilibrium position and the trajectory of the journal. Specifically, the approach was used to study a bearing that was designed to operate within tight tolerances and speeds up to almost 30,000 rpm for operation in a gearbox.


Author(s):  
Alexander Kayne ◽  
Ramesh Agarwal

In recent years Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are increasingly used to model the air circulation and temperature environment inside the rooms of residential and office buildings to gain insight into the relative energy consumptions of various HVAC systems for cooling/heating for climate control and thermal comfort. This requires accurate simulation of turbulent flow and heat transfer for various types of ventilation systems using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations of fluid dynamics. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) or Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of Navier-Stokes equations is computationally intensive and expensive for simulations of this kind. As a result, vast majority of CFD simulations employ RANS equations in conjunction with a turbulence model. In order to assess the modeling requirements (mesh, numerical algorithm, turbulence model etc.) for accurate simulations, it is critical to validate the calculations against the experimental data. For this purpose, we use three well known benchmark validation cases, one for natural convection in 2D closed vertical cavity, second for forced convection in a 2D rectangular cavity and the third for mixed convection in a 2D square cavity. The simulations are performed on a number of meshes of different density using a number of turbulence models. It is found that k-epsilon two-equation turbulence model with a second-order algorithm on a reasonable mesh gives the best results. This information is then used to determine the modeling requirements (mesh, numerical algorithm, turbulence model etc.) for flows in 3D enclosures with different ventilation systems. In particular two cases are considered for which the experimental data is available. These cases are (1) air flow and heat transfer in a naturally ventilated room and (2) airflow and temperature distribution in an atrium. Good agreement with the experimental data and computations of other investigators is obtained.


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ramalingam ◽  
J. Fillos ◽  
S. Xanthos ◽  
M. Gong ◽  
A. Deur ◽  
...  

New York City provides secondary treatment to approximately 78.6 m3/s among its 14 water pollution control plants (WPCPs). The process of choice has been step-feed activated sludge. Changes to the permit limits require nitrogen removal in WPCPs discharging into the Long Island Sound. The City has selected step feed biological nitrogen removal (BNR) process to upgrade the affected plants. Step feed BNR requires increasing the concentration of mixed liquors, (MLSS), which stresses the Gould II type rectangular final settling tanks (FSTs). To assess performance and evaluate alternatives to improve efficiency of the FSTs at the higher loads, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) and City College of New York (CCNY) have developed a three-dimensional computer model depicting the actual structural configuration of the tanks and the current and proposed hydraulic and solids loading rates. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Model, Fluent 6.3.26TM as the base platform, sub-models of the SS settling characteristics as well as turbulence, flocculation, etc. were incorporated. This was supplemented by field and bench scale experiments to quantify the co-efficients integral to the sub-models. As a result, a three-dimensional model has been developed that is being used to consider different baffle arrangements, sludge withdrawal mechanisms and loading alternatives to the FSTs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junho Suh ◽  
Alan Palazzolo

This paper is focused on a new modeling method of three-dimensional (3D) thermo-elasto-hydro-dynamic (TEHD) cylindrical pivot tilting-pad journal bearing (TPJB). Varying viscosity Reynolds equation and 3D energy equation are coupled via lubricant temperature and viscosity relationship. Three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) is adopted for the analysis of: (1) heat conduction in shaft and bearing pad, (2) thermal deformation of shaft and pad, (3) flexible bearing pad dynamic behavior, and (4) heat conduction, convection, and viscous shearing in thin lubricant film. For the computational efficiency, modal coordinate transformation is utilized in the flexible pad dynamic model, and pad dynamic behavior is represented only by means of modal coordinate. Fluid film thickness is calculated by a newly developed node based method, where pad arbitrary thermal and elastic deformation and journal thermal expansion are taken into account simultaneously. The main goal of this research is to provide more accurate numerical TPJB model than developed before so that the designers of rotating machinery are able to understand the bearing dynamic behavior and avoid unpredicted problem by selection of physical parameters.


Author(s):  
Ramiz Kameel ◽  
Essam E. Khalil

Airflow characteristics in ventilated and air-conditioned spaces play an important role to attain comfort and hygiene conditions. This paper utilizes a 3D time-dependent Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to assess the airflow characteristics in different air-conditioned spaces. It is found that the optimum airside design system can be attained, if the airflow is directed to pass all the enclosure areas before the extraction. Still most of these factors and evaluation indices have the shortage of adequately describe the influence of the recirculation zones on the occupancy zone and also on the fresh supplied air. The model of evaluation should assess the airflow characteristics in any enclosure according to its position in the enclosure and the expected target of it along its pass to the extraction.


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