A Study of Ceramic Bearing for Vertical Pumps (Wear of a Submersible Bearing in Slurry)

Abstract

the wear of various sleeve-type submersible bearings in slurry which are commonly used for diffuser-type vertical pumps was investigated. The test bearing materials were ceramics, tungsten carbides, and self-fluxing alloys which were expected to have sufficient wear resistance, even in slurry. Rubber, which is the most conventional bearing material, and resin were also tested. The test equipment simulated actual vertical pump, that is, test bearings were installed in slurry and the rotating shaft precessed. The slurry density was varied between 50 ppm and 3 000 ppm. It was found that wear rate and slurry density were strongly related in the range of slurry density from 200 ppm 3 0000 ppm. The materials of higher hardness had better wear resistance, in particular, the combination of silicon carbide and tungsten carbide showed superior wear resistance.