NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THRUST BEARING MADE OF BABBIT AND BRONZE METAL FOR CONTACT STRESS ANALYSIS AND WEAR DEFORMATION ANALYSIS (KEY IJP************955)

• Amol S. Bhamare,Prof. Dr. P.b. Nehe

Abstract

The major components of Hydraulic Power Plant comprise of Pipe, Turbine and Draft tube followed by the respective electric generator. Hydropower is produced in three transitional stages of energy. First, kinetic energy is responsible for the flow of water from a higher to a lower level, such as commonly occurs in a river or dam. The turbine bearing plays equal vital role in functioning of turbine and efficiency of power plant. Bearing damage can occur for many reasons. Problems such as misalignment, unbalance, looseness and friction are all telegraphed through the bearing, sometimes leading to failure. Bearing life mainly depends upon the choice of bearing material, so it is important to select the bearing material correctly to service conditions and operating mode. The current material used in the bearing is Babbitt. Hence an attempt is made to study the wear rate investigation and contact stress analysis of Babbitt as well as bronze as a replacement. The model of bearing is first prepared in Creo Software and then exported to Ansys for further analysis process of Contact Stress Analysis and Wear Deformation analysis.