Experimental and CFD performance analysis of hydrodynamic journal bearing using Jatropha blended Copper-Oxide nanoparticle as lubricant

Lubrication is a prime performance parameter for hydrodynamic journal bearing lubrication. Jatropha non-edible sourced bio-lubricating oil have several good characteristics like low toxicity, high viscosity index, high load carrying capacity, excellent coefficient of friction, anti-wear capability, low emission into the environment. Recent research in nano-tribology show that addition of nanoparticle increases the viscosity and improves the load and heat carrying capacity of lubricating oil and also enhances wear and friction characteristics. Tribological properties of pure Jatropha and Jatropha oil blended with CuO (Copper Oxide) nanoparticles in different volume fraction 0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% are computed experimentally and the performance of hydrodynamic journal bearing is analyzed with the computational fluid dynamics(CFD) software. Pressure distribution at different eccentricity ratio, load and speed is studied analytically using CFD software and also compared against experimental readings for pure Jatropha oil. 0.1%CuO blended Jatropha oil shows the maximum viscosity, viscosity index and developed maximum pressure underlubrication of hydrodynamic journal bearing.