Numerical and experimental research of bidirectional thrust bearings used in pump-turbines

Abstract

A three-dimensional thermo-elasto-hydro-dynamic model for bidirectional thrust bearings used in pump-turbines taking into account the temperature-viscosity effect as well as thermal-elastic deformations in the pad and runner surface was set up. The finite difference method was employed to solve the thermo-hydro-dynamic model, and the thermal-elastic deformations in the pad and runner were obtained by the finite element software ANSYS11.0. The data transfer between the thermo-hydro-dynamic model and ANSYS11.0 was carried out automatically by an interface program. Laboratory test was performed on the Harbin Electric Machinery 3000 ton thrust bearing test rig. A detailed comparison between the experimental results and numerical predictions showed quite good overall agreement on the oil film thickness, pressure and temperature, which provided an evidence of validation of the three-dimensional thermo-elasto-hydro-dynamic model coupled with finite difference method and finite element method developed in this article.