Numerical simulation of oil-film behavior on cylinder liners in sliding contacts with piston rings

Marine diesel engines, which have large strokes and large cylinder diameters, need to be supplied with cylinder oil to maintain good lubrication. However, the consumption of cylinder oil needs to be reduced to improve cost efficiency. This study proposes a new simulation model, which can be used to calculate oil conservation over the whole of cylinder liners, solving the transport equation. We present some results of the oil mass distribution and discuss the optimal settings for the quantity and timing of the oil supply, the rate of oil quantity (1) scraped by the top or the bottom ring, (2) that remaining on the cylinder liner and (3) that retained between the rings. The formation of a thick oil film is explained by these results.