Abstract

The performance of the journal bearing of a reciprocating compressor is crutial in industrial applications utilizing reciprocating compressors systems. This study analyzes a system utilizing EXXCOLUB SLG 190 as lubricant and methane, as the compressed gas. Numerical method, specifically the finite element method, is utilized in this study. Reynolds equation is analyzed using the half sommerfield boundary condition. The analysis encompasses a study of the effect of viscosity thinning with solubility of the methane at various operating pressures on the pressure profile and the load capacity of the bearing. The effect of vibration on the performance of the journal bearing is also analyzed by considering the effect of vertical flow. It was observed that the maximum pressure reduced by 50% as well as the load capacity of the journal bearing, when the operating pressure was increased from 0 to 5000 psi (3.447×107 N/m²). The pressure profile flattens out as the operating pressure increases. Increase in vibration (vertical flow effect) results in the reduction of load capacity of the journal bearing.

Keywords:

Finite element method, load capacity, lubrication, pressure profile, viscosity,

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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