A customer experienced bearing failure on an Air Recirculation Fan application within a ore preparation plant. This had been a regular problem and compressed air cooling was applied to try and reduce high bearing running temperature.
NSK Engineers carried out an Application Review including a temperature survey of the fan and bearings, revealing major issues with incorrect fitting of the bearings, over lubrication and inadequate sealing arrangement. NSK recommended using NSKHPS Spherical Roller Bearings within NSK SNN Plummer Blocks and NSK Labyrinth seals, along with recommendations for correct fitting and correct lubrication intervals and quantities.
A trial was conducted resulting in no bearing failure for more then 12 months and the removal of the compressed air cooling generating a significant cost saving for the customer.
Before | Cost p.a. | NSK Solution | Cost p.a. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
€8.400/hour x 36hours shift due to bearing failure | € 302.400 | No downtime | € 0 | |
€42/hr x 36hours x 2 persons due to bearing failure |
€ 3.024 | Manpower, fitting of NSK bearing €42/hr x 8hours x 2 persons | € 672 | |
Cost of compressed air per year | € 88.954 | No compressed air used | € 0 | |
Bearing cost | € 750 | Bearing cost | € 750 | |
Total Costs | € 395 128 | € 1 422 |
Reference:SS-E-2052