Towards robust design optimization of automotive turbocharger rotor-bearing systems

In the competitive automotive market, the performance of turbochargers is constantly being pushed towards their theoretical optimum. One of the key components of the turbocharger is the rotor-bearing system, which determines the friction losses and noise output and furthermore affects the overall turbocharger efficiency, reliability and cost. In...

Numerical modelling of finite-size particle collisions in a viscous fluid

A general model is presented for short-range hydrodynamic interactions and head-on particle-particle/wall collisions. The model has been embedded in two distinct numerical methods for fully resolved simulation of finite-size particles in a viscous fluid. It accounts for the material properties of the particles and lubrication effects prior to...

On the levitation force in horizontal core-annular flow with a large viscosity ratio and small density ratio

A numerical study has been made of horizontal core-annular flow: the flow of a high-viscosity liquid core surrounded by a low-viscosity liquid annular layer through a horizontal pipe. Special attention is paid to the question how the buoyancy force on the core, caused by a density difference between the core and the annular layer, is...

Low Adhesion in the Wheel-Rail Contact

Adhesion, or adhesion coefficient, is given by the ratio of the longitudinal tangential (i.e., braking or traction) force over the normal force at the wheel-rail contact. The tangential force that a braking or tractive railway wheel can exert on a rail is limited by the friction coefficient available between the surfaces in contact for a given...

Particle imaging velocimetry experiments and lattice-Boltzmann simulations on a single sphere settling under gravity

A comparison is made between experiments and simulations on a single sphere settling in silicon oil in a box. Cross-correlation particle imaging velocimetry measurements were carried out at particle Reynolds numbers ranging from 1.5 to 31.9. The particle Stokes number varied from 0.2 to 4 and at bottom impact no rebound was observed. Detailed...

Lubricant for clean rolling: Escapee oil particles keep cold rolling steel mills lubricated

One of the unique selling points of the Corus steel mills at IJmuiden is the quality of the steel they produce. The lubrication used during the last production stage is one of the factors that determine how clean and smooth the steel will emerge from the mill. The usual lubricant consists of an emulsion of oil in water. Until recently, little...