Synergistic effects of micro pocket and bio based nanolubricant on the performance behaviours of journal bearing considering cavitation and thermo viscous effects

Hydrodynamic bearings are increasingly used in power transmission systems due to their reliability and high load carrying capability. Recent advancements aimed to enhance the performance of journal bearings by modifying bearing surfaces by incorporating micro textures in the form of micro pockets, dimples or grooves. Due to growing concerns for energy conservation and environmental sustainability, focus is now shifted to utilizing bio lubricants with nano additives. In this direction, an attempt has been made to investigate the combined effects of micro pocket and bio-nanolubricant on the performance of hydrodynamic journal bearings under different operating conditions. In this investigation, cavitation is incorporated using mass-conserving algorithm and thermo-viscous effects have been accounted employing temperature-dependent viscosity model. Results showed a substantial reduction in friction coefficient and a significant decrease in eccentricity ratio with micro pocketed bearing lubricated with bio-nanolubricant compared to plain bearings lubricated with bio lubricant. Providing a micro pocket reduced eccentricity ratio up to 36% and coefficient of friction by 18% compared to plain bearing.