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Power Plant Pump Bearing Issue

Two condensate extraction pumps failed at a power plant due to water entering the bearings. The water entered because the gland sleeve lock nut loosened over time, allowing the gland to loosen and leak water. This was caused by the right-handed threading on the shaft and clockwise rotation, which gradually loosened the nut. To address this, double lock nuts and a lock washer were added to prevent further loosening and ensure proper sealing. The modified pumps have been performing satisfactorily since the change.

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Charu Chhabra
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532 views2 pages

Power Plant Pump Bearing Issue

Two condensate extraction pumps failed at a power plant due to water entering the bearings. The water entered because the gland sleeve lock nut loosened over time, allowing the gland to loosen and leak water. This was caused by the right-handed threading on the shaft and clockwise rotation, which gradually loosened the nut. To address this, double lock nuts and a lock washer were added to prevent further loosening and ensure proper sealing. The modified pumps have been performing satisfactorily since the change.

Uploaded by

Charu Chhabra
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PROJECT UNIT PROBLEM

KOTHAGUDAM TPS (2 x 250 MW) 9 & 10 CONDENSATE EXTRACTION PUMP BEARING FAILURE.

PROBLEM: At Kothagudam TPS Stage-V - BHEL/HYDERABAD has supplied condensate extraction pumps of TYPE EN8H32. Bearing failures occurred in two CEPs due to water entry into bearing. This happened when the water sealing arrangement at pump gland got loosened, because the gland sleeve lock nut got loosened while condensate extraction pumps were in regular service.

ANALYSIS: The threading on shaft was right handed and the rotation was clockwise viewed from the drive end. This resulted in gradual loosening of the gland sleeve lock nut and dislocation of shaft sleeve near gland area (Refer Fig). The gland thus got loosened and led to heavy water leakage from glands and contamination of bearing oil lead to bearing failure.

ACTION TAKEN: Based on the observation (since the thread cannot be changed on the shaft) double lock nuts and a lock washer were added in the assemblies of pumps as indicated in the fig. After doing the above improvement/modification, the performance is found to be satisfactory.

CONDENSATE EXTRACTION PUMP TYPE EN8H32 KOTHAGUDAM TPS 250 MW SHAFTSLEEVE LOCK NUT THREAD PROBLEM

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