Power Generation
The power generation industry encompasses a range of operations, including the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric power. Bearings play an essential role in these applications as critical components of equipment (e.g., compressors, motors, pumps, etc.). Below, we highlight the types of bearings used in the power generation industry and their typical applications.Types of Bearings Used in the Power Generation Industry
In the power generation industry, equipment requires uninterrupted bearing service. That’s why the bearings used must be designed and constructed for reliability and durability. The types of bearings commonly found in power generation equipment include:- Ball and roller bearings
- Pillow block bearings
- Blade bearings
- Yaw bearings
- Radial bearings
Typical Applications of Bearings in the Power Generation Industry
These bearings are used for a variety of purposes within the power generation industry. For example, bearings from Emerson Bearing can be utilized for the following:- Compressors, drives, motors, and pumps. The bearings for these pieces of equipment are generally ball and roller bearings. They are often built to tight internal clearances, cage design requirements, and Abec precision class.
- Wind turbines. The bearings for these systems vary depending on where they are used. For example, gearboxes generally have roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings, or four-point contact bearings. Generators typically contain a combination of deep groove ball bearings or cylindrical roller bearings. Blades usually integrate blade bearings (pitch bearings), yaw bearings, or sealed spherical bearings into their control systems.
- Gas, steam, and water turbines. The bearings for these structures are normally hydrodynamic.