INNOVATION & RE ENGINEERING No.

PROJECT:

NALCO/DAMONJODI - 200 T/HR

SUBJECT : MILL SEAL AIR FAN BEARING FAILURE - BEARING HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS TO AVOID BEARING FAILURE

NALCO / DAMONJODl Unit IV was provided with two numbers of NDV ION radial fans for tube mill seal air applications. Seal air fan - B was started on 07.12.2001 and the fan tripped immediately on overload protection. On checking, it was found that the fan shaft was not rotating and in locked condition. On inspecting the fan bearing, it was found that the oil in the circular view glass was visible. However on physically opening and inspecting the bearing, there was no oil in the bearing and oil draining through the drain plugs also not observed. The fan was provided with SNH 216 bearing housing with spherical roller bearing 22216 C3 for the fixed end and SNH- 216 al with ball bearing 2216 for the free end. The bearing cages were found to be in broken condition.

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Following are the observations made & remedial action taken to resolve the above issue . SI no Observations Bearing housing did not have adequate holding capacity to meet the oil evaporation loss at 3000 rpm of the fan Remedial measures External glass type oilers were provided at the drain point with suitable connection of bearing housing & matched with the oil level. Customer was advised to maintain the oil level in the oiler.

These bearings did not have breather provision .

The oil filling plug removed and new breather put. Action being taken to provide oil level gauge at the available circular view glass port with suitable fittings.

The circular oil view glass at the drive end cannot be viewed due to the rotating shaft interference

After the introduction of external oiler and breather, the fan was running without problem.

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