An investigation of the dynamics of air bubbles in engine oil.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Earth Sciences
Abstract
Pursuing engine fuel economy via lower viscosity lubricants has lead to concerns over aeration, and the influence on engine component operability, such as maintaining oil films actuation of engine hydraulic devices (cam phasers). Aeration is a long standing technical challenge for crankcase lubrication.
The student will conduct an experimental study of bubble air entrainment, transportation and release within lubricants and apply this to modelling of an oil stream entering a free surface of an oil entraining bubbles on impact.
This will involve developing an understanding of bubble convection, separation and release along a partially filled channel and the fundamentals of bubble entrainment, transportation and collapse in an engine sump environment.
The student will develop a rig and test to simulate the engine aeration phenomena and study the sensitivity of base oil, additives and key engine hardware features. The work will involve developing a semi-empirical model to describe the process and infer further insights.
The rig data will be validated against CFD modelling of key features.
The student will conduct an experimental study of bubble air entrainment, transportation and release within lubricants and apply this to modelling of an oil stream entering a free surface of an oil entraining bubbles on impact.
This will involve developing an understanding of bubble convection, separation and release along a partially filled channel and the fundamentals of bubble entrainment, transportation and collapse in an engine sump environment.
The student will develop a rig and test to simulate the engine aeration phenomena and study the sensitivity of base oil, additives and key engine hardware features. The work will involve developing a semi-empirical model to describe the process and infer further insights.
The rig data will be validated against CFD modelling of key features.
People |
ORCID iD |
| A Woods (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Martin Lippert (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509103/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2022 | |||
| 1766666 | Studentship | EP/N509103/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2020 | Martin Lippert |
| Description | Three papers have been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics based on the findings from this award: 1) On Turbulent Bubble Fountains - Martin C. Lippert and Andrew W. Woods (2018) 2) Particle-laden Fountains in a Confined Environment - Martin C. Lippert and Andrew W. Woods (2018) 3) Experiments on the sedimentation front in steady particle-driven gravity currents - Martin C. Lippert and Andrew W. Woods (2020) These three papers have industrial significance in areas such as process engineering, water aeration and building ventilation, but also in the automotive engineering sector (findings related to the aeration of engine oil in internal combustion engines) and in furthering our understanding of multi-phase flows occurring in nature (volcanic eruptions, turbidity currents). I these papers we present novel experiments, complemented by theoretical models which add novel insight into the bulk motion of bubbles and particles in various liquid flows. |
| Exploitation Route | The novel experiments, complemented by theoretical models, presented in the published papers led to new insights into multi-phase flow problems which have both a strong industrial and academic relevance. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Construction,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-fluid-mechanics |
| Description | Three papers have been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics based on the findings from this award: 1) On Turbulent Bubble Fountains - Martin C. Lippert and Andrew W. Woods (2018) 2) Particle-laden Fountains in a Confined Environment - Martin C. Lippert and Andrew W. Woods (2018) 3) Experiments on the sedimentation front in steady particle-driven gravity currents - Martin C. Lippert and Andrew W. Woods (2020) These three papers have industrial significance in areas such as process engineering, water aeration and building ventilation, but also in the automotive engineering sector (findings related to the aeration of engine oil in internal combustion engines) and in furthering our understanding for multiphase flows occurring in nature (volcanic eruptions, turbidity currents). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Construction,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Economic |