FEATURE SPONSOR
LIFE EXTENSION OF WINDFARMS
To perform the flushing, Romax developed a special flushing machine that is installed and allows spraying and slow rotation of the bearing to remove all the grease. For severely damaged bearings, larger pieces of raceway can be removed manually beforehand to prevent ingress further into the bearing, typically these can be found at the rear of the bearing near bottom dead centre.
The process allows for >95% removal of the old, contaminated grease. An endoscopic inspection at this stage confirms the removal and allows complete access to all positions on both the upwind and downwind side to fully quantify the damage to the bearing.
Figure 2. Results from various studies on flushing main bearings conducted from 2014-2016. Bearing life is based on life calculation methodology per ISO 281 2007 Annex A.
With this process proving successful, Romax is looking forward to using flushing to allow in-field trials of different greases and sees this as the next area where life extension (e.g. use the best performing grease) could be achieved.
Romax Click to view more info
Samples showing grease condition before and after flushing. Fresh grease improve lubrication conditions and extending bearing life
RESULTS FROM FLUSHING
Introducing a new maintenance practice to the wind industry requires significant trial and evaluation by owners. During 2014 -2016, Romax conducted trials with over 10 owner/operators, including gathering and examining data to investigate the effect on lubrication conditions, temperature and vibration. Figure 2 provides some typical examples from bearings that had started down the road to failure, but were in earlier stages. If the grease is laden with iron and water, replacing it resets it to fresh grease. After 104 days running the iron concentration was still low.
The temperature data is for a bearing that was degraded enough to be overheating, here the flushing extended life more than one year, allowing repairs to be delayed and downtime minimised.
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84