Experimental research on the tilting pad bearing under the high temperature of inlet oil

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of high-temperature inlet oil on the comprehensive performance of tilting-pad bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a tilting-pad bearing under high temperature of inlet oil in a natural gas compressor as an example, the experimental system was developed for the tilting-pad bearing applied in a real machine, and the experiment was performed. The bearing lubricating properties under different high temperatures of inlet oil were obtained, including oil film thickness on the pivot, temperature rise and the shaft vibration values at the bearing positions.

Findings

The experimental results showed that the vibration, the oil film thickness on the pivot and the pad temperature were not sensitive to the change in temperature of the inlet oil, but vibrations were observed under the specific speed. At the same speed, when oil temperature changed by 1°C, the bearing temperature rise did not exceed 0.2°C and change in oil film thickness on the pivot was 1 µm. The test results of the actual unit are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Originality/value

The vibration measurement scheme was presented, and an indirect measurement method of fulcrum thickness was proposed. The practicability of the measurement method and the accuracy of test results were verified by the comparison of the test results of the shaft vibration, the bearing pad temperature, the fulcrum oil film thickness and the theoretical calculation results. This study will provide an important reference for designing a tilting-pad bearing with high-temperature inlet oil.

Citation

Yang, P., Yuan, Q. and Chen, R. (2018), "Experimental research on the tilting pad bearing under the high temperature of inlet oil", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 70 No. 6, pp. 935-941. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-01-2017-0021