Development of the System for Oil Vapor Drainage from Bearing Housings of Big Hydroaggregates

Abstract

During the operation of large hydro aggregates, oil is heated in the axial and radial bearings and the production of oil vapor appears. The clearance in the gaskets of the bearings increase during the multi-year work and often allows the passage of oil vapor to the surrounding space and condensation on the equipment. Penetration of the oil vapors in the generator part and their condensation on the generator’s equipment influences to the unit readiness and requires more frequent cleaning and degreasing. For this reason, it is of vital importance for the hydro aggregates presence of the functional system for oil vapor drying directly from the housing of axial and radial bearings. This paper presents the structural solution of oil vapor drying systems on vertical hydro aggregates with the Kaplan turbine.