Numerical analysis on cavitation of LNG in micro clearance of self-lubricated journal bearing

  • Yu Wang
  • , Yu Hou
  • , Yu Guo
  • , Xiufang Liu
  • , Tianwei Lai

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transportation and storage, pump is required to transport the processed fluid. In order to meet the requirements of hydraulic head, tightness and purity, a high speed full-cryogenic centrifugal pump using LNG as self-lubricant is under development. To reach the high pump head, the centrifugal LNG pump must be working at high rotational speed. In self-lubricated bearing, sub-ambient pressure will be generated due to the hydrodynamic effect. Hence, cavitation is most likely to occur in micro bearing clearance lubricated with near-saturated LNG. In order to mitigate cavitation in micro bearing clearance, thermodynamic effect in cavitation-flow is focused on. Numerical analysis of LNG lubricated herringbone bearings is carried out and the bearing characteristics are analysed. Furthermore, liquid nitrogen(LN2) test is performed for similarity experiment to verify the simulation and the feasibility of structural optimization.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationICR 2019 - 25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration
EditorsVasile Minea
PublisherInternational Institute of Refrigeration
Pages429-436
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9782362150357
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, ICR 2019 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: 24 Aug 201930 Aug 2019

Publication series

NameRefrigeration Science and Technology
Volume2019-August
ISSN (Print)0151-1637

Conference

Conference25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, ICR 2019
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period24/08/1930/08/19

Keywords

  • Bearing
  • Cavitation
  • Centrifugation
  • Clearance
  • LNG
  • Pump

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