Tribological Failure Analysis and Suitability of Grease Lubrication for Sugarcane Crushing Mill Journal Bearings

Abstract

Influence of tribological performance parameters like speed, eccentricity ratio, load and frictional torque on the performance of sugarcane mill heavily loaded slow-speed journal bearing was examined. Reasons for tribological failure of sugarcane crushing mill journal bearings were identified. It was observed that an increase in pressure of lubricant with the increase in eccentricity ratio increases load carrying capacity of heavily loaded journal bearing. The total load supported by bearing was evaluated. This load carrying capacity was compared with actual operating load of heavily loaded journal bearing. Theoretical load carrying capacity of heavily loaded journal bearing evaluated was much smaller than actual load carrying capacity. Regime of lubrication for sugarcane mill journal bearings was evaluated as mixed lubrication. For the experimental analysis, actual conditions of sugarcane mill journal bearing were maintained at the laboratory on journal bearing test rig. Frictional torque, coefficient of friction and temperature profiles were obtained by operating journal bearing on test rig for the duration of 8 h. Suitability of grease lubrication over oil lubrication was checked experimentally. Grease lubrication showed less wear as compared to oil lubrication.