Effect of Temperature on Grease Flow Properties in Pipes

ABSTRACT

The effect of temperature on grease flow properties in pipes was investigated using both theoretical and experimental methods. A theoretical model for pipe flow was obtained by using the Herschel-Bulkley (H-B) rheology model. The H-B parameters at different temperatures were obtained from flow curves measured on a rheometer. The flow properties in the pipes were studied and combined with the theoretical model and H-B parameters. In addition, pressure drop experiments were carried out to verify the theoretical model. The model can be used to predict the critical temperature at which a lubrication system would no longer be able to deliver a sufficient grease flow rate.

KEYWORDS:

• Lubricating grease
• lubrication systems
• grease flow
• grease rheology

Funding

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (51006117), the Graduate Student Innovation Training Project in Jiangsu Province (KYLX_1372), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2015XKMS027), and a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.