Traction behaviours of aviation lubricating oil and the effects on the dynamic and thermal characteristics of high-speed ball bearings

Purpose The traction behaviours of lubricating oil significantly affect the stability and lubrication regime of aviation high-speed ball bearings. Rolling elements will slide at a low traction force (TF). Therefore, traction behaviours need to be studied, and a fitting expression for traction curves to rapidly calculate the traction coefficient (TC) should be developed. Design/methodology/approach The traction behaviours of an aviation lubricating oil were studied in severe operating conditions with a self-designed two-disc testing rig. Based on the least squares method and the Levenberg–Marquardt theory, a rapid calculation expression was developed by fitting the obtained traction curves. The correction of this expression was experimentally verified by comparing the TCs under different operating conditions. This expression was also used to modify the commonly accepted quasi-dynamic model of rolling bearings. Findings An increase of the load led to an increase in the TC. In comparison, the temperature and entrainment speed showed inverse effects. The proposed expression exactly predicted the trend of the experimentally acquired traction curve. The calculation with the modified dynamic model showed that the action of the TF on a single rolling element varied and that the temperature increase of the outer raceway is higher than the inner raceway, which is caused by the TF and relative sliding speed between the elements and raceways. Originality/value The proposed fitting expression is able to simplify the TC calculation of synthetic aviation lubricating oil in practical engineering applications. This paper can provide an important reference for the traction behaviour of synthetic aviation lubricating oil under severe conditions and assist with its rapid calculation and practical application in engineering.

A Study on the Emissions of Alternative Aviation Fuels

Currently, the aviation sector is seeking for alternatives to kerosene from crude oil, as part of the efforts combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in particular carbon dioxide (CO2), and ensuring security of supply at affordable prices. Several synthetic jet fuels have been developed including sustainable biokerosene, a low-carbon fuel. Over the last years, the technical feasibility as well as the compatibility of alternative jet fuels with today's planes has been proven However, when burning a jet fuel, the exhaust gases are a mixture of many species, going beyond CO2 and water (H2O) emissions, with nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) including aromatic species and further precursors of particles and soot among them. These emissions have an impact on the local air quality as well as on the climate (particles, soot, contrails). Therefore, a detailed knowledge and understanding of the emission patterns when burning synthetic aviation fuels are inevitable. In the present paper, these issues are addressed by studying numerically the combustion of four synthetic jet fuels (Fischer–Tropsch fuels). For reference, two types of crude-oil-based kerosene (Jet A-1 and Jet A) are considered, too. Plug flow calculations were performed by using a detailed chemical-kinetic model validated previously. The composition of the multicomponent jet fuels was imaged by using the surrogate approach. Calculations were done for relevant temperatures, pressures, residence times, and fuel equivalence ratios φ. Results are discussed for NOx, CO as well as for benzene and acetylene as major soot precursors. According to the predictions, the NOx and CO emissions are within about ±10% for all fuels considered, within the parameter range studied: T = 1800 K, T = 2200 K; 0.25 ≤ φ ≤ 1.8; p = 40 bar; t = 3 ms. The aromatics free GtL (gas to liquid) fuel displayed higher NOx values compared to Jet A-1/A. In addition, synthetic fuels show slightly lower (better) CO emission data than Jet A-1/A. The antagonist role of CO and NOx is apparent. Major differences were predicted for benzene emissions, depending strongly on the aromatics content in the specific fuel, with lower levels predicted for the synthetic aviation fuels. Acetylene levels show a similar, but less pronounced, effect.

A Study on the Emissions of Alternative Aviation Fuels

Currently, the aviation sector is seeking for alternatives to kerosene from crude oil, as part of the efforts combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in particular carbon dioxide (CO2), and ensuring security of supply at affordable prices. Several synthetic jet fuels have been developed including sustainable bio-kerosene, a low-carbon fuel. Over the last years, the technical feasibility as well as the compatibility of alternative jet fuels with today’s planes has been proven However, when burning a jet fuel, the exhaust gases are a mixture of many species, going beyond CO2 and water (H2O) emissions, with nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) including aromatic species and further precursors of particles and soot among them. These emissions have an impact on the local air quality as well as on the climate (particles, soot, contrails). Therefore, a detailed knowledge and understanding of the emission patterns when burning synthetic aviation fuels is inevitable. In the present paper, these issues are addressed by studying numerically the combustion of four synthetic jet fuels (Fischer-Tropsch fuels). For reference, two types of crude-oil based kerosenes (Jet A-1 and Jet A) are considered, too. Plug flow calculations were performed by using a detailed chemical-kinetic model validated previously. The composition of the multi-component jet fuels were imaged by using the surrogate approach. Calculations were done for relevant temperatures, pressures, residence times, and fuel equivalence ratios φ. Results are discussed for NOx, CO as well as benzene and acetylene as major soot precursors. According to the predictions, the NOx and CO emissions are within about ± 10% for all fuels considered, within the parameter range studied: T = 1800 K, T = 2200 K; 0.25 ≤ φ ≤ 1.8; p = 40 bar; t = 3 ms. The aromatics free GtL (Gas to Liquid) fuel displayed higher NOx values compared to Jet A-1/A. In addition, synthetic fuels show slightly lower (better) CO emission data than Jet A-1/A. The antagonist role of CO and NOx is apparent. Major differences were predicted for benzene emissions, depending strongly on the aromatics content in the specific fuel, with lower levels predicted for the synthetic aviation fuels. Acetylene levels show a similar, but less pronounced, effect.

Experimental Study on NOx and CO Emissions of Aviation Kerosene and Coal-to-Liquid Synthetic Aviation Fuel in a Jet Stirred Combustion Reactor

The ever increasing consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels for global economic development leads to serious energy crisis and environmental pollution. Consequently, new alternative fuels and high-efficiency combustion are required to aid the sustainable development of human society. The present paper took the RP-3 aviation kerosene and coal-to-liquid synthetic aviation fuel (manufactured through the Fischer Tropsch process., FT) for object, and experimentally investigated the influences of pressure, inlet temperature and equivalence ratio on the productions of NOx and CO in a jet stirred combustion reactor. The tests were performed under the pressures of 2bar and 3bar, and inlet air temperatures of 550K and 650K, respectively. The equivalence ratio ranged from 0.5 to 1.2. The mean residence time was approximately 8ms. Probe sampling followed by on-line emissions analyzer permitted to measure the concentration of the products. The experimental results show that these two fuels obey the same law with the variations of pressures, inlet temperatures and equivalence ratios. The NOx production increases with the pressure and inlet temperature increasing. The CO decreases with the pressure increasing, while slightly increases with the inlet temperature increasing. Numerical simulations were also performed to investigate the combustion products of these two fuels in the jet stirred combustion reactor. Two PSRs were introduced to simulate the jet flame region and post flame in the recirculation region, respectively. The combustion products of second PSR (PSR2) agreed well with the experimental results by regulating the volume ratio of first PSR (PSR1). Based on the reaction pathway analysis of NO production in present state, it is considered that for these two fuels the NOx production is led by the thermal NO above the equivalence ratio of 0.65, while by the N2O at lower equivalence ratios. With the application of the present alternative fuel and its reaction mechanism, the experimental results of aviation kerosene and Coal-to-Liquid synthetic aviation fuel can be predicted well within a certain state, which requires a further verification in a wider range. Furthermore, the numerical results show that the NO release is insensitive to the reaction components within present experimental states.