【Haichuan’s Lessons from Others】Fuhai Chuang Completes the Localization Upgrade of Air Compressor Bearing Shells

Thread Content

Recently, the project to localize the bearing components for the single-cantilever rotor shafts of air compressors at Fujian Fuhai Chuang Petrochemical Co., Ltd. was successfully completed. This project not only overcame industry challenges such as uneven wear of bearing shells and excessive temperatures in chemical production, but also achieved a significant breakthrough in the localization of technologies related to bearing shells for compressors operating at high speeds. 　　This renovation eliminates the potential risks associated with the operation of air compressors, ensures the continuous and stable operation of the production line, and simultaneously reduces maintenance costs significantly, opening up new avenues for the company to cut costs and improve efficiency. 　　In chemical manufacturing, the operational issues related to the bearing of the single-cantilever rotor shaft of air compressors have long constrained the equipment’s lifespan and production continuity. In response, the researchers took the Kingsbury bearing structure as a core foundation, integrated design and manufacturing resources, and achieved innovative improvements in the three key areas of material, structure, and oil supply. In terms of materials, the researchers upgraded the substrate of the thrust pad tiles to chromium-copper; its excellent thermal conductivity helped reduce the operating temperature of the shaft pads by about 20°C, effectively preventing the risk of thermal deformation. Structurally, the researchers replaced the traditional Mitchell structure with a Kingsbury-like adaptive structure, enabling dynamic and balanced distribution of tile loads through elastic supports, thereby significantly improving the operational stability of the device. The oil supply system features a spherical-offset oil inlet design, which increases the oil film gap and boosts oil flow rate. This enhances the stability of the oil film while reducing the boundary lubrication area, effectively suppressing fretting wear and thus achieving a technological breakthrough.