Questions about thrust bearings
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What is the maximum allowable temperature for a general thrust bearing, and what consequences can arise from excessively high bearing temperatures?
Typically, thrust bearings are not designed to operate at angles exceeding 90 degrees. Overheating of the bearings likely affects the lifespan of the thrust pads; I’m not entirely sure about the specifics though.
It mainly comes down to the temperature of the babbitt alloy; generally, the compositions are not exactly the same and there are differences, but axis displacement also needs to be taken into account – that’s key.
The high alarm value is around 115°C, while the alarm trigger point is around 90°C. High temperatures can cause the bearing surfaces to weld together, leading to friction that damages the bearings. They can also cause the lubricating oil to carbonize, resulting in the disappearance of the oil film. This, in turn, leads to increased vibration levels and mechanical failure
Generally, the melting point of babbitt on thrust bearings is 240°C. However, the alarm threshold for bearing temperature during compressor operation depends on the values set by the compressor manufacturer; usually, the temperature will be a bit higher before an alarm is triggered, after all, the melting point of babbitt is 240°C. Next, check whether the temperatures at the 2 temperature measurement points on the thrust bearing shells are identical. If the deviation is significant, start by checking the instruments for any issues; if the instruments are fine, then turn on the machine to measure the thrust clearance and use red lead to inspect the surface that has been ground
Alarm at 90°C, shutdown at 105°C. The normal operating temperature of the thrust bearing bush is around 60°C. Excessively high temperatures can cause tile burning; the lubricating surface of the bearing tiles is made of babbitt alloy, which has a very low melting point.
Thank you all for your answers. What is the general maximum temperature allowed for the thrust bearing of a centrifugal pump, and what are the consequences of excessively high temperatures?
It generally should not exceed 90 degrees. If the thrust bearing temperature is too high, the bearing is prone to damage, and the pump is likely to malfunction; in severe cases, this can lead to the bearing breaking.
High temperatures affect the lifespan of bearings, as does the quality of the lubricating oil; high temperatures can cause the lubricating oil to deteriorate
The thrust bearing temperature of our company’s compressor units reaches up to 120°C, but by monitoring changes in displacement and vibration during operation, there should be no major issues
The temperature is too high; that’s caused by excessive shaft displacement. The high-quality packaging should be provided by the manufacturer! If the temperature is too high and the thrust block is damaged, it becomes difficult to detect shaft displacement