Coupled Eulerian Thin Film Model and Lagrangian Discrete Phase Model to Predict Film Thickness Inside an Aero-Engine Bearing Chamber

The interaction of the oil with air produces a highly complex two-phase flow environment inside aero-engine bearing chambers. It is not currently feasible in design to fully resolve all physics including thin films and droplets using numerical methods such as volume-of-fluid (VOF) they are too computationally expensive. Resolving or film thickness micron size computational grids practical for large geometries like Hence, present study Lagrangian discrete phase model (DPM) used simulate reduce cost. DPM coupled Eulerian thin-film (ETFM) predict on chamber walls. In study, capabilities throughout periphery evaluated test case rimming flows smooth, shock, pool regimes. Thereafter, ETFM simplified shaft speeds ranging from 5000 rpm 15,000 rpm. predicted thicknesses wall at different compared validated experimental measurements. A sensitivity inlet conditions droplet velocity investigated presented paper it shows that knowledge vital predicting formation. effects additional terms enhanced also here shown their inclusion helps capture more flows.