Computational Dynamics of a Thermally Decomposable Viscoelastic Lubricant Under Shear

Abstract

The effect of viscoelasticity on the thermodynamic performance of a thermally decomposable lubricant subjected to shear and Arrhenius kinetics is investigated with direct numerical simulations. A numerical algorithm based on the finite difference method is implemented in time and space with the Oldroyd-B constitutive equation as the model for the viscoelastic liquids. We report enhanced efficiency in the case of a polymeric lubricant as compared with the purely viscous lubricant. In particular, it is demonstrated that the use of polymeric liquids helps to delay the onset of thermal runaway as compared with progressively Newtonian liquids.