Stability Analysis of an Industrial Gas Compressor Supported by Tilting-Pad Bearings Under Different Lubrication Regimes

Abstract

This work is aimed at a theoretical study of the dynamic behavior of a rotor-tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB) system under different lubrication regimes, namely, thermohydrodynamic (THD), elastohydrodynamic (EHD), and hybrid lubrication regime. The rotor modeled corresponds to an industrial compressor. Special emphasis is put on analyzing the stability map of the rotor when the different lubrication regimes are included into the TPJB modeling. Results show that, for the studied rotor, the inclusion of a THD model is more relevant when compared to an EHD model, as it implies a reduction on the instability onset speed for the rotor. Also, results show the feasibility of extending the stable operating range of the rotor by implementing a hybrid lubrication regime.