Service Life of ACHE Fan Bearings Doubled With Innovative Composite Assembly
Resource from: PRWEB Likes:270
Jan 26,2014
After more than three years since the first installation, Greene, Tweed’s AFB assembly for ACHE (air-cooled heat exchanger) fans remains successfully running in the field. The AFB assembly is a turn-key upgrade for the upper roller bearing on ACHE fans in refineries, chemical plants, and power generation facilities. Historically, MTBF (mean time between failure) for these bearings is 12-20 months. Since installation of the first AFB assembly in June 2010, service life has been extended to 42 months delivering a projected plant-wide savings of $3.4 million over five years.
ACHEs are a common fixture in hydrocarbon and chemical processing plants. By forcing air through a heat exchanger with a fan, they function to cool essential process fluids. The roller bearing supporting the fan shaft of the ACHE has typically experienced a very short service life due to the harsh operating environment. And when a bearing fails, it can cause a plant shutdown with potential losses of up to 25% of refining capacity. In addition, repair requires that the fan unit be disassembled, taking two to three days and costing up to $20,000 per incident. Repair also poses a safety risk to personnel as they must operate heavy equipment at great heights and in high heat.
Greene, Tweed’s AFB assembly was designed with the goals of simplifying the repair process and extending service life once installed. Featuring a patent-pending split design, the assembly consists of a WR®600 thermoplastic composite sleeve contained in a universal metallic housing. The split design eliminates the need to disassemble the fan unit during replacement, reducing repair time from two to three days to less than four hours. In addition, the WR600 sleeve enables dry-run capability, while the non-contact bearing design minimizes wear for a longer service life. The result is an overall reduction in the life cycle cost of ACHE fans through reduced maintenance, faster repair, and fewer plant shutdowns.
Greene, Tweed installed its first AFB assembly in June 2010 at a major refinery in Texas. As of December 2013, it has been in service for 42 months. Subsequent installations in Texas and Louisiana are experiencing the same success; all have been running for over two years. Shafts have varied from 2 7/16’’ to 2 15/16’’, but the company states it can accommodate any size. It can also fulfill rush orders in emergency situations, with a turnaround of approximately one week.
Greene, Tweed leverages expertise in a variety of markets and products to give customers the most innovative solutions to meet performance challenges and reduce total cost of operation. With fully qualified engineering, sales and support personnel located throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, Greene, Tweed delivers solutions to individual customer applications on a global scope. Greene, Tweed products are sold and distributed worldwide. For additional information, contact Greene, Tweed at +1.215.256.9521 or visit our website at http://www.gtweed.com.
(PRWEB)
【CBCC News Statement】
1.The news above mentioned with detailed source are from internet.We are trying our best to assure they are accurate ,timely and safe so as to let bearing users and sellers read more related info.However, it doesn't mean we agree with any point of view referred in above contents and we are not responsible for the authenticity. If you want to publish the news,please note the source and you will be legally responsible for the news published.
2.All news edited and translated by us are specially noted the source"CBCC".
3.For investors,please be cautious for all news.We don't bear any damage brought by late and inaccurate news.
4.If the news we published involves copyright of yours,just let us know.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Cnbearing is the No.1 bearing inquiry system and information service in China, dedicated to helping all bearing users and sellers throughout the world.
Cnbearing is supported by China National Bearing Industry Association, whose operation online is charged by China Bearing Unisun Tech. Co., Ltd.
China Bearing Unisun Tech. Co., Ltd owns all the rights. Since 2000, over 3,000 companies have been registered and enjoyed the company' s complete skillful service, which ranking many aspects in bearing industry at home and abroad with the most authority practical devices in China.