Friction Reduction in Turbulent Journal Bearings by Highpolymers

Abstract

The friction reduction by dilute polymer solutions is investigated experimentally in turbulent journal bearings. The effects of polymer substances, polymer concentration, bearing clearance, and journal eccentricity on friction reduction are examined over the wide range of Reynolds number in the superlaminar regime. In the experiments, the friction of polymer solution is less than 40 percent of that of Newtonian turbulent flow under the best conditions. The calculated friction factor for the Couette flow is in good agreement with the corresponding measured one. Degradation of highpolymer is also investigated experimentally, and is found to be affected by polymer concentration.