Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
screw compressors
Application handbook
Bearings in twin
screw compressors
Application handbook
1
Preface
2
Contents
Preface
General 1
Air compressors
6
Refrigeration compressors 7
Unit conversion
9
References 10
3
1 General - Introduction
General
Photo courtesy of
Atlas Copco
5
1 General - twin screw compressor function
;;
tion opening in the housing. At this number of lobes of the male rotor.
point the cavity begins to decrease in Since each cavity has a different
size as it continues to move forward pressure, a small amount of gas will
in the compressor. As the cavity leak from a cavity with high pressure
reaches the discharge side of the to one with a lower pressure. The
compressor, the compressed gas is leakage results in loss of efficiency.
discharged through the discharge By minimizing the clearance between
opening in the housing ( fig 1 ). the rotors and the housing, the leak-
age is minimized. Three different
clearances must be considered, the
clearances between the tips of the
rotors and the cylindrical surface in
the housing, the clearance between
the end faces of the rotors and the
housing ends, and the clearance
between the rotors. The rotor end
clearance is adjusted by axial posi-
tioning of the thrust bearing during
compressor assembly, usually by
grinding a shaft spacer to a width
determined from measurements of
compressor components.
Fig 1
a b c
6
female
;;;
1 General - twin screw compressor types
femalerotor
rotor malerotor
male
symmetric profile
rotor
Flooded compressors
In flooded compressors, a fluid is
injected into the rotor cavities during
the compression process. The pur-
pose of the fluid injection is:
To seal the leakage gaps between
the two rotors by filling them with
fluid
To absorb compression heat from
the gas
To lubricate the contacts between
female rotor
female rotor
asymmetric profile
Fig 2c
1
7
1 General - twin screw compressor types
8
1 General - twin screw compressor bearing function,
selection criteria and bearing loads
9
1 General - twin screw compressor bearing loads
Fig 3 In order to
reduce the
axial force
from the rotor,
stationary or
;;;;
;;;;
rotating bal-
ance
pistons are
sometimes
used. A rotat-
ing balance
piston is a
disc mounted
at the dis-
charge end of
the rotor.
axial force from the rotor, stationary used to balance the net axial gas
or rotating balance pistons are some- force. This can cause the net axial
times used. A rotating balance piston gas force on the rotors to reverse
is a disc mounted at the discharge which can cause rubbing between
end of the rotor. Gas at discharge the ends of the rotors and the hous-
pressure from the compressor is ing on the discharge side if the axial
allowed to act on the end face of the clearance of the selected bearing
disc, producing an axial force direct- arrangement is larger than the rotor
ed towards the discharge side. This end clearance. Too low an axial force
force helps to balance out the net on the bearings can also be detri-
axial gas force on the rotor ( fig 3 ). mental to the bearings if the loads
A stationary balance piston uses a become less than the minimum
bearing for transmission of the bal- required load for satisfactory opera-
ancing force to the rotor ( fig 4 ). tion. The timing gear forces and iner-
If the compressor is gear driven, tial forces from transmission of torque
the forces from the input gear are between the rotors are usually small,
also supported by the bearings. By except at compressor startup.
varying the gear helix angle, it is pos- Analysis of bearing loads in screw
sible to control both the magnitude compressors is very complicated
and direction of the gear axial forces. and should be performed through
Sometimes the axial gear force is detailed analysis of compressor
design parameters.
10
;;
;;
1 General - twin screw compressor bearing loads
A stationary Fig 4
balance piston
uses a bearing
for transmis-
sion of the
balancing
force to the
rotor.
Gas Force
11
;;
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing types
;;
;;
Needle
and with high quality steel. The SKF roller bearing XXXX XX X
Life Theory enables the optimum
bearings to be selected based on the
service life conditions.
CARBTM
XXXX XX XXX
Four-point
contact
XXX XXX X
ball bearing
Taper roller
bearing set
XXXX XXXX XX X
13
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing lubrication
14
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing lubrication
Fig 6
50
a SKF
20
10
2
5
4
=
2
1
0.8
0.6
2
0.5
1
4
0.
3
0.
0.5
0.2
5
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.05
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5
c Pu
P
If > 4, use = 4 curve
As the value of C (Pu/P) tends to zero, aSKF tends to 0.1 for all values of
15
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing lubrication
Fig 7
50
a SKF
20
10
=4
2
2
1
0.8
1 0.6
5
0.
0.5 4
0.
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.1
0.05
0.005 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5
c Pu
P
If > 4, use = 4 curve
As the value of C (Pu/P) tends to zero, a SKF tends to 0.1 for all values of
16
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing lubrication
Fig 8
500 2300
Viscosity centistokes (mm /s )
400
300 1250
2
200 900
150 700
100 470
75 350
50 240
40 IS 190
O
30 VG 140
VG 68
0
VG 460
20 VG 320 100
VG 22 80
15 VG 15 0
0
VG 100
10 VG
68 60
IS VG 48
8 O
VG 32
22
6
5
4
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 120 150
17
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing lubrication
types used in compressors are the air. The actual lubricant selected for
polyalphaglycol (PAG), polyal- an application should ideally provide
phaolefin (PAO), and POE. Synthetic greater viscosity than the minimum
oils are more thermally stable than required viscosity 1 (i.e. Kappa >1.0).
mineral oils and therefore have longer For bearings operating in air com-
service life. Synthetic oils can reduce pressors, the viscosity ratio, Kappa,
the bearing internal rolling friction for should be the guideline for evaluation
improved compressor efficiency. of satisfactory viscosity. Kappa > 1.5
Furthermore, it should be noted that is preferred. The lubricant viscosity
for the same basic viscosity, synthetic should not be too great since this
oils have different oil film thickness causes excessive bearing friction and
formation capability compared to the heat.
standard mineral oils. This is because Some synthetic lubricants have dif-
of their different pressure viscosity ferent effective viscosity in the rolling
coefficients (see literature on EHL contact as compared to mineral oils
theory). This coefficient can be higher due to a greater or lower viscosity
or lower compared to mineral oils. increase in the pressures of the
This point should also be considered rolling contact. This difference is
when selecting an oil. indicated by the pressure-viscosity
The lubricant viscosity requirements coefficient () of the lubricant. The
for a rolling bearing depend on bear- adjusted viscosity, adj for use in the
ing size dm and operating speed n, evaluation of the bearing lubrication
but little on bearing load. The mini- can be determined as follows:
mum required lubricant viscosity 1
needed at the bearing operating tem-
perature is obtained from ( fig 10 ).
Fig 9
10000
1000
400
Viscosity mm2/S
200
100
40
20
10
8
6
4
-20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Temperature C
SHC (VI 150) Mineral (VI 95)
18
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing lubrication
10
of 3 = 200 to 12 = 75 . Finer filters
Centistokes (mm 2/s)
200
20
930 also increase bearing life, but the
50
degree of increase depends also on
100
10
460
the viscosity ratio Kappa and the
0
20
bearing load intensity Pu/P. If the
0 230
50
Kappa value is high, a change to a
50
0R
PM finer filter can give significant
20 10
15 0
0 100 improvement in bearing life. If Kappa
20 00
50
30
00
00
is low, a finer filter cannot compen-
00
10 10
00
0
60 sate for the poor lubrication and the
20
00
0 1 benefit may be questionable. In such
50 40
5 00
10
00
0
a case it may be more effective to
00
3
10 20 50 100 200 500 1000
35 increase the bearing size.
Pitch diameter (mm) dmmm For evaluation of filter specifica-
dm = (bearing bore + bearing O.D.) 2 tions, SKF Applications Engineering
1 = required lubricant viscosity for adequate can consult computer programs
lubrication at the operating temperature
which take into account all of the
above mentioned factors.
19
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing speed ratings
Table 1
Recommended bearing executions for different speed ranges
single row four-point deep cylindrical taper
Speed angular contact groove roller roller
Range contact ball ball ball bearings bearings
bearings bearings bearings
ndm BE design
Cage Precision Cage Precision Cage Precision Cage Precision Cage Precision
Up
to P,Y N 1) MA,FA N 1) J N 1) P,J N 1) J N 1)
450,000
450,000
to M,F P6 MA,FA N 1) J N 1) P,ML N 1) J *
650,000
650,000
to MA,FA P6 MA P6 ML N 2)
Please Speed
850,000
contact is
Oil jet lubrication required at ndm over 850,000
SKF too
850,000
to MA P6 MA P6 ML N 2)
Appl. high
1,000,000
1,000,000 Eng.**
to LA P5 MA P5 ML P63)
1,200,000
1) N = normal precision
2) P6 running accuracy required however SKF Cylindrical Roller Bearings have this as standard
3) Shaft roundness tolerance to IT3/2 is recommended
* CL7C design
** An execution for special high speed angular contact ball bearings has been developed by SKF; these bearings have different cage
executions and contact angles than those of the BE design. See section on "Bearings for high speed compressors".
20
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing temperature
Table 2
The recommended shaft tolerances for ball and roller bearings in twin screw compressor applications
shaft diameter. tolerance for tolerance for1 tolerance for tolerance for tolerance for tolerance for
mm cylindrical and single row taper roller single row taper roller four-point
needle roller angular contact bearings taking angular contact bearings taking ball bearings
bearings and deep groove axial load only and deep groove combined loads taking axial loads
ball bearings ball bearings only
taking axial load taking combined
only loads
< or = 18 m5 h5 j5 j5 j5 j5
(18) to 100 m5 h5 j5 k5 k5 j5
(100) to 140 m5 h5 j5 m5 m5 j5
(140) to 200 m6 h5 j5 m6 m6 j5
21
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing mounting
;;
;;
is ISO K6. This tolerance results in an tioning of the screw rotors changing
interference between the bearing the performance of the compressor.
outer ring and housing. This allows For the bearing outer ring not to
for easy assembly and radial clear- move against the housing, the axial
ance for bearing expansion with force on the outer ring must be
increases in temperature and is rec- greater than the internal friction in the
ommended to avoid creeping of the bearing. The axial force can come
outer ring in the housing bore. from the applied load or additionally
For easier mounting, it is also pos- from a clamping spring force ( fig 11 ).
sible to use J6 or J7 tolerance. See
Table 8 on page 38.
Fig 11
22
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing mounting
;;;;
these two forces. The spring force a clamp force can distort and deflect
should be applied against the outer the geometry and reduce the internal
ring of the reverse axial bearing clearance in the bearings. The clamp
( fig 12 ).
force preferably should not exceed
The bearing rings can also be slot- one quarter of the bearing basic
ted ( N1 or N2 suffix ) and fitted with static load rating (e.g.C0/4 ).
an anti-rotation pin mounted in the
housing. This is common with four-
point and single row angular contact
ball bearings. The bearings can also
be fitted in a floating housing which is
pinned to prevent rotation.
Fig 12
23
2 Twin screw compressor bearings - bearing mounting
Table 3
1.Because of the impaired lubrication, J cages have not been recommended in ammonia compressors. The problems associated with J cages in
ammonia compressors are cage wear and smearing between the cage and rolling elements. The experience is somewhat mixed, but several
compressor manufacturers who originally used J cages in angular contact ball bearings and the old generation of cylindrical roller bearings have
redesigned to other types. However, other compressor manufacturers have successfully used ECJ cylindrical roller bearings. Based on this
experience, the J cage may be used in cylindrical roller bearings, but verification testing by the user is recommended.
2.Natural gas with high concentration of hydrogen sulfide may be too acidic for polyamide materials.
3.Viton is resistant to this gas but is not compatible with PAG oils.
VITON is a registered trademark for DuPont Dow Elastomers flourocarbon elastomers.
24
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - deep groove ball bearings,
single row angular contact ball bearings
25
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - single row angular contact ball bearings
;;;;
universal matching. SKF universally
matchable bearings are designated unmounted axial clearance and pre-
with one of the following suffixes: CA, load for the universally matchable
CB, CC, GA, GB, GC. The first letter bearings. The initial bearing clear-
denotes a clearance (C) or preload ance or preload is assured when the
(G) and the second letter denotes the bearing rings are axially clamped
magnitude of clearance or preload. together. The initial clearance in a
Arrangements of universally match- bearing pair is reduced or initial pre-
able bearings usually support axial load is increased by interference fits
loads and assure accurate position- and if the shaft and inner ring operate
ing of the compressor shaft owing to with a higher temperature than the
the small internal clearance or bear- outer ring and housing.
ing preload. If the axial load of the SKF universally matchable bear-
compressor is heavy, the bearings ings are produced with P6 precision
can be arranged with a third bearing class tolerances (ANSI/ABMA Class
mounted in tandem, such as shown ABEC 3) as standard.
( fig
13 ).
The standard SKF bearings avail- Caution: Single bearings are not
able for universal matching have the to be used where only radial loads
CB or GA suffix, e.g. 7310 BECB or are present.
7310 BEGA. The CB suffix denotes
that the bearing is universally match-
able, and that a pair of these bear-
ings will have a certain axial clear-
ance when mounted in any of the
three arrangements shown ( fig 13 ).
Fig 13
26
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - single row angular contact ball bearings
Table 4
Axial internal clearance of angular contact ball bearings of series 72 BE and 73 BE for
universal pairing back-to-back of face-to-face (unmounted).
30 50 9 17 22 30 40 48
50 80 11 23 26 38 48 60
80 120 14 26 32 44 55 67
3
120 180 17 29 35 47 62 74
180 250 21 37 45 61 74 90
250 315 26 42 52 68 90 106
Preload of angular contact ball bearings of series 72 BE and 73 BE for universal pairing
back-to-back of face-to-face (unmounted).
Bore Preload
diameter Class
d GA GB GC
over incl. min max max min max min max min max min max
mm m N m N m N
10 10 +4 -4 80 -2 -10 30 330 -8 -16 230 660
18 30 +4 -4 120 -2 -10 40 480 -8 -16 340 970
30 50 +4 -4 160 -2 -10 60 630 -8 -16 450 1280
180 250 +8 -8 940 -4 -20 330 3700 -16 -32 2650 7500
250 315 +8 -8 1080 -4 -20 380 4250 -16 -32 3000 8600
27
;;
;;
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - single row angular contact ball bearings
;;
lubrication conditions, and construc-
For satisfactory operation, an angular
tion of the bearing cage. Insufficient
contact ball bearing must carry a
load can also cause variation in the
certain minimum axial load. At
orbital speed of the balls. This will
increased speed, centrifugal forces
result in increased loads on the
on the balls will cause a change in
cage and possibly cause damage.
the contact angle between the inner
and outer raceways, ( fig 15 ). These
*ndm is the bearing speed n in r/min multiplied by
differences in contact angle will
the bearing mean diameter dm in mm.
cause sliding which damages the
dm =(d+D)/2
raceways, balls and cage, and
Fig 15 Fig 16
Axial displacement vs. axial load
SKF 7310 BEP Speed = 3600 rpm
o 50
0
axial displacement (m)
-50
-100
-150
i
-200
Similar contact angles, Variation in contact angles,
inner and outer ring. inner and outer ring.
-250
-300
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
axial load (N)
28
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - single row angular contact ball bearings
The minimum required axial load for Bearings having small contact
satisfactory operation of angular con- angles are better suited for high
tact ball bearings can be calculated speed, lightly loaded applications
from the following equation: because of their lower requirement
for axial load.
Famin = A (n/1000)2 During operation, the minimum
required axial load in a bearing pair
where: can be internally maintained by limit-
Famin = minimum required axial ing the internal axial clearance. With
load, N small axial clearance, the balls are
A = minimum load factor loaded by centrifugal force against
n = rotational speed, r/min the raceways with nearly equal inner
and outer ring contact angles. As
The equation above is more accu- the axial clearance increases, so
rate than the corresponding equation does the difference in the inner
given in the SKF General Catalog. and outer ring contact angles. This
Values of minimum load factor, A for allows increased internal sliding.
series 72 and 73 BE single row angu- The minimum axial load can also
lar contact ball bearings are be maintained by spring preloading
listed in Table 5 . the bearings.
;;
;;
SKF single row angular contact ball bearing minimum axial load factor
monly used in screw compressors to
support high axial load. The tandem
A factor
mounted bearings can be positioned
size bore 72 BE 73 BE
diameter adjacent to a cylindrical roller bearing
(mm) which supports the radial load
01 12 0.282 0.536 ( fig
17 ).
02 15 0.421 0.906
03 17 0.686 1.41
04 20 1.23 2.68
Fig 17
05 25 1.71 4.29
06 30 4.07 8.13
07 35 7.29 11.1
08 40 10.9 18.9
09 45 12.3 29.2
10 50 14.9 45.6
11 55 23.5 62.5
12 60 34.4 84.5
13 65 47.7 111
14 70 56.3 145
15 75 63.5 185
16 80 85.0 234
17 85 114 292
18 90 149 360
19 95 191 440
20 100 239 630
21 105 302 723
22 110 375 905
29
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - single row angular contact ball bearings
P = 0.35 Fr + 0.57 Fa
for Fa/Fr > 1.14
Fig 18
Load per bearing = Fa/2 = 5000 N
P = 0.57 (5000 N) = 2850 N
L10h = (C/P)p (1000000/60 n) LIFE
= [74100 N/2850 N]3x
[1000 000/(60)(3600 r/min)]
= 81370 hours
30
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - single row angular contact ball bearings
Fig 20
7000
6000
5000
Axial force N
4000
3000
2000
1000
Axial deflection, m
31
;;;
;
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - single row angular contact ball bearings
Table 6
Shaft tolerance k5 k5 j5 j5 h5
Housing tolerance J6 H6,RF J6 H6,RF RF
ndm value BECBM BECBM BECBM BECBM BECBM BEGAP
up to BECBY BECBY BECBY BEGAM BEGAM BEGBY
250,000 BECBP BECBP BECBP BEGAY BEGAY BEGBP
BEGAP
250,000 BECBM BECBM BECBM BECBM BEGAM BEGBY
to BECBY BEGAM BEGAM BEGAM BEGAY BEGBP
450,000 BECBP BEGAY BEGAY BEGAY BEGAP
BEGAP BEGAP BEGAP
450,000 BECBM BEGAM BEGAM BEGAM not
to recommended
650,000 area
RF = Radially free. This means that there is a 1-2 mm radial gap between the bearing outer ring and the housing.
For ndm values lower than 450,000, housing tolerances J6, H6 may be replaced with J7, H7 respectively.
Applies to solid steel shafts/steel or cast iron housings. Applies to bearing bore size 20 to 100 mm (including 100 mm).
Applies to applications with inner ring temperature no more than 10 degrees C warmer than outer ring temperature.
Circulating oil lubrication or other means for improved cooling may be necessary for control of the bearing operating
temperature, in particular. at high speeds.
Contact SKF Applications Engineering for details of the recommendations.
*ndm is the bearing speed n in r/min multiplied by the bearing mean diameter dm in mm.
dm = (d + D)/2
32
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - four-point contact ball bearings
;;;
Famin = A (n/1000)2 rotation. For calculation of the clamp-
ing force, please refer to page 22,
where section Housing Fits, Bearings
Famin = minimum required axial taking axial loads only. The angular
load, N misalignment should be limited to
A = minimum load factor 2 minutes .
n = rotational speed, r/min
33
3 Ball bearings in twin screw compressors - four-point contact ball bearings
For four-point contact ball bearings, small, the inner ring, balls, and shaft
a second criteria for minimum axial will displace axially towards the cen-
load must also be considered. The ter of the outer ring ball groove. This
centrifugal force acting on the balls can allow the ball to contact both
will tend to move the balls radially sides of the outer ring raceway at the
outward, similarly to that shown in same time, while still contacting the
figure 15 . This movement is prevent- inner ring raceway. This three point
ed by the contact with the outer ring contact can result in severe sliding
at its primary rolling position. friction in the contacts, damaging the
However, if the axial force is too raceways, balls, and cage.
The axial load necessary to prevent
the axial displacement of the ring and
Table 7 balls due to centrifugal forces has
been calculated with an advanced
SKF four-point contact ball bearing minimum axial load factors
computer program. With the use of
regression analysis, it was found
A factor B factor
that the force increases with the
size bore QJ2 QJ3 QJ2 QJ3
diameter speed raised to an exponent of
(mm) approximately 1.45.
03 17 0.427 0.8690 1.989 3.720 The minimum axial force to prevent
04 20 0.877 1.428 3.793 5.728 three-point contact due to centrifugal
05 25 1.261 2.770 4.841 10.10 force is calculated according to the
06 30 3.082 5.077 11.06 16.64 following equation:
07 35 4 724 7.374 15.24 22.93
08 40 7.098 11.76 21.50 34.08 Famin = B (n/1000)1.45
09 45 10.04 21.93 29.10 59.86
10 50 10.27 28.93 28.58 74.81 where
11 55 17.28 40.35 45.47 99.32 Famin = minimum required axial
12 60 24.17 54.84 60.45 129.0 load, N
13 65 32 94 72.98 78.63 164.7 B = minimum load factor
14 70 39.93 95.12 92.59 206.4 n = rotational speed, r/min
15 75 45.24 122.2 102.1 255.8
16 80 62.80 154.6 136.3 312.7 Three-point ball contact is prevent-
17 85 76.61 192.8 160.0 377.7 ed when the load applied to the bear-
18 90 105.8 259.6 214.0 493.4 ing by the compressor or additional
19 95 136.8 316.9 268.0 585.3 forces from springs or balance pis-
20 100 176.0 404.3 334.5 720.2 tons exceeds the force calculated by
22 110 276.5 645.6 496.9 1085 the above equation.
24 120 353.4 784.0 608.6 1260 Values of the minimum load factor
26 130 410.5 1057 679.5 1629 B for series QJ 2 and QJ 3 four-point
28 140 554.4 1395 878.2 2068 contact ball bearings are listed in
30 150 641.4 1645 975.4 2352 Table 7.
34
4 Roller bearings in screw compressors - cylindrical roller bearings
Roller bearings in
screw compressors
Cylindrical roller The NU type cylindrical roller bear-
ing is commonly used since it allows
bearings separate assembly of the inner rings
SKF cylindrical roller bearings of EC and outer ring/roller assemblies onto
design are used in twin screw com- the shaft and into the housing,
pressors for their high speed and respectively. The NU type bearing
high radial load capability. The SKF accommodates axial displacement
EC cylindrical roller bearing has a due to thermal expansion of the
large number and size of rollers, log- shaft. The use of the NU type bearing
arithmic roller profile, and optimized allows both the inner and outer rings
flange geometry. to be mounted with a transition or
The SKF EC design cylindrical interference fit for more precise posi-
roller bearings are produced with tioning of the bearings and rotors.
three basic cages( fig 23 ): the glass Cylindrical roller bearings are
fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6 cage somewhat sensitive to misalignment.
(P suffix), the pressed steel cage The maximum allowable misalign-
ment is three to four minutes,
4
(J suffix), and the machined brass
cage (M and ML suffix). The bearings depending on the bearing series.
are optionally available with a high Important: For satisfactory opera-
speed light alloy cage (LP suffix) for tion, cylindrical roller bearings should
high speed air compressors and a be subjected to a given minimum
machined steel cage (F suffix) for gas radial load. The required minimum
compressors. The bearings are avail- radial load to be applied to cylindrical
able with ranges of internal radial roller bearings is estimated from the
clearance for optimization of the equation provided in the General
bearing position accuracy. The SKF Catalog, which is:
EC cylindrical roller bearing is pro-
duced standard with ISO P6 running Frm = kr (6 + 4n/nr) (dm/100)2
accuracy.
Frm = minimum radial load, N
Kr = minimum load factor
Fig 23 = 100 for bearings of series 10
= 150 for bearings of
series 2,3, or 4
= 200 for bearings of series 22
= 250 for bearings of series 23
n = operating speed, r/min
nr = speed rating for oil
lubrication, r/min, see bearing
tables in the SKF General
Catalog
dm = mean diameter of bearing
= 0.5 (d + D), mm
35
4 Roller bearings in screw compressors - cylindrical roller bearings
36
4 Roller bearings in screw compressors - cylindrical roller bearings
Fig 24
500000
450000
operating clearance
400000
mounted clearance
bearing life (hours)
350000
300000
250000
unmounted
clearance
200000
150000
10000
4
5000
37
4 Roller bearings in screw compressors - cylindrical roller bearings
Table 8
ndm is the bearing speed n multiplied by the bearing mean diameter dm, mm.
Compressor Design A: For maximum screw positioning accuracy/high compressor efficiency.
Compressor Design B: For lowest manufacturing cost/best bearing availability.
P63L = P6 + C3L.
38
4 Roller bearings in screw compressors - taper roller bearings
;;;
roller bearing is well suited for com-
pressor applications. The Q line taper See also the SKF General Catalog
roller bearing features logarithmic for additional details.
roller profile, low friction steel cage It may be necessary to apply addi-
design, and optimized roller end and tional force to the bearing outer ring
flange profiles. to prevent its rotation with the housing
face if the force on the bearing ring is
too low. See the section "Housing fits,
axial loads only" on page 22. The
face of the bearing can also be
Fig 25 slotted to mate with an anti-rotation
pin mounted in the housing. This is a
non-standard feature.
Screw compressors fitted with
taper roller bearings are relatively
complicated to assemble, since the
inner ring has to be mounted with an
interference fit. The interference fit
causes an axial displacement of the
outer ring relative to the inner ring.
This displacement may need to be
considered when the rotor end clear-
ance is adjusted.
39
;;;;
; ;
;;;;
4 Roller bearings in screw compressors - taper roller bearings, needle roller bearings,
bearings for high speed compressors
Fig 26 Fig 27
maintained since taper roller bearings Bearing). This is an entirely new bear-
cannot operate with preload in screw ing which is a combination of the best
compressors. features of the spherical roller bear-
For the reasons mentioned above, it ing, the cylindrical roller bearing, and
is difficult to set a small rotor end the needle roller bearing.
clearance with TRBs, therefore screw The CARB bearing is capable of
compressors fitted with TRBs typically accommodating axial expansion and
have larger rotor end clearance. misalignment while providing high
radial load carrying capabilities, low
Needle roller bearings friction and compact cross section.
CARB bearings are produced in the
Needle roller bearings ( fig 26 ) are
same dimension series of many popu-
used in oil flooded air and refrigera- lar spherical roller, cylindrical roller,
tion compressors because of their and needle roller bearings.
high radial load capability and com- CARB bearings with cages are
pact size. The needle roller bearing recommended for screw compressor
has separable rings similar to the applications.
cylindrical roller bearing. The needle
roller bearing has limited availability
with special clearances, cages or with
higher precision.
To avoid significant bearing life
reduction, the angular misalignment
should be limited to 1 minute.
40
5 Bearings for high speed compressors
;;;
;
The roller bearing supports the radial elements (hybrid bearings) can also
load. The angular contact ball bearing be used. The reduced mass of the
set consists of a pair of bearings, ceramic rolling element compared to
mounted either face-to-face or back- steel elements allows the hybrid bear-
to-back, with the thrust bearing having ing to be used at higher speeds. This 5
a contact angle between 30 and 40 will allow lower preloads since the risk
and the back-up bearing having a of skidding due to gyroscopic ball
contact angle between 15 and 20. movement is reduced.
The difference between the contact
angle of the thrust bearing and back-
Fig 28
up bearing is between 10 and 20.
With this design, the internal force
due to centrifugal force is small, so
the induced axial force in the bearing
system is minimized.
This arrangement of cylindrical roller
and angular contact ball bearings for
compressors is patented by SKF. The
arrangement is available royalty free
to customers. The bearings are made
to order and inquiries should be
directed through SKF Applications
Engineering.
41
6 Air compressors - Oil flooded compressors, dry air compressors
Air compressors
;;;
;
Oil flooded air
compressors
Bearing arrangements
A typical oil flooded air compressor
bearing arrangement is shown in
( fig
29 ).
Fig 29
Photo Courtesy of
Gardner Denver
43
;; ;
6 Air compressors - Oil flooded compressors, dry air compressors
Fig 30 Bearings
;
;; ;
On the inlet side the most widely used
bearing type is the cylindrical roller
bearing in an NU execution. This type
allows free axial movement of the
rotor due to elongation under temper-
ature influences and eliminates the
risk for parsitic axial forces. For keep-
ing tight control of the rotor end-play,
;; ;
the axial location of the rotor takes
place on the outlet side.
Various bearing arrangements
are used depending on speed,
loads, mounting options, and rotor
end-play setting procedure. Typical
combinations are shown in ( fig 30 ).
;;;
;; ;
Bearing arrangements
A typical dry air compressor bearing
arrangement is shown in ( fig
31 ).
;;
;; ;;
;;;;;;;
;;
;;;;
Fig 31
FGAX
44
6 Air compressors - Oil flooded compressors, dry air compressors
;;
;;
of internal clearance, cage construc-
tion, and tolerancing for suitable use removed by oil injection. Typically the
in the compressor. Consult SKF bearings are lubricated by a synthetic
Applications Engineering for selection lubricant having ISO VG 32 to 68
of the bearing execution. depending upon speed and tempera-
The lubricant must be jetted axially ture. The lubrication system should
into the bearing between the bearing include fine filtration. The oil flow to
inner ring and cage( fig 32 ). the bearing should not be so great
Orienting the jet this way will over- that it causes excessive bearing fric-
come the air resistance of the high tion and temperature rise.
speed bearing. The jet should have a Experimentation should be used to
minimum 1 mm diameter to prevent optimize the oil flow requirements.
the risk of being clogged by debris in Drainage holes on both sides of the
the oil. The oil viscosity and flow rate bearing may be required to drain off
must be suitable to lubricate and cool excessive oil.
Fig 32
gap 0.030-0.050mm
45
7 Refrigeration compressors - fluorocarbon based refrigerant compressors
Refrigeration
compressors
Fluorocarbon based Bearings
refrigerant compressors The selection of bearings for fluoro-
carbon based refrigeration (HCFC,
Bearing arrangements HFC) applications requires considera-
A typical fluorocarbon based refriger- tion of the effects of the refrigerant on
ant compressor bearing arrangement the oil selection and oil properties. All
is shown in ( fig
33 ). fluorocarbon based refrigerants do not
mix freely with mineral oils. The refrig-
erants, when used with compatible
oils, are dissolved in and dilute the
;;
;;
viscosity of the oil and in some cases
reduce their property to increase in
viscosity with pressure in the rolling
contact. This diminishes the oils
capability to develop the elastohydro-
dynamic (EHD) film in the rolling
contact. The capability of the oil to
;;;;
support sliding friction (cage and
roller/flange contacts) are also
diminished.
Fig 33
;;
;;
7
47
7 Refrigeration compressors - ammonia compressors
48
7 Refrigeration compressors - ammonia compressors
;;
;;
;;
;;;; ;
Fig 34
;;
;;
preload and a machined cage. In Bearings
order to prevent unloading of the Preferred bearing types
7
inboard bearing at unexpected work-
Bearing types with low friction, such
ing conditions the outer rings are
as angular contact ball bearings and
preloaded by springs so that the
cylindrical roller bearings, are pre-
required minimum axial load is given.
ferred. Customers have experienced
The bearings are lubricated by oil
severe wear in taper roller bearings,
injection into the outboard bearing
between the roller end face and the
and oil leaves the bearing arrange-
inner ring flange. This wear phenom-
ment at the inboard bearing where
ena has been reproduced in laborato-
the oil flow is supported by a flinger.
ry testing. For this reason, taper
49
7 Refrigeration compressors - ammonia compressors
roller bearings, and other bearing Polyamide 6,6 cage (P and TN9 suffix)
types with high sliding friction such The presence of ammonia acceler-
as cylindrical roller thrust bearings, ates the aging of polyamide cage
spherical roller thrust bearings, and material at elevated temperatures.
thrust ball bearings, are not recom- Polyamide cages are successfully
mended in ammonia compressors. used in ammonia compressors, but
the bearing operating temperature
Pressed steel cage (J suffix) should be limited to 70C (158F).
Because of the impaired lubrication This limit has been established by
due to the undissolved ammonia gas experience and laboratory testing.
in the lubricating oil, pressed steel
cages have not been recommended Pressed brass (Y suffix) and machined
in ammonia compressors. The prob- brass cages (M, MA, and ML suffixes)
lems associated with J cages in In the ammonia refrigeration industry,
ammonia compressors are cage wear specifications such as the American
and smearing between the cage and Society of Heating, Refrigeration and
rolling elements. The experience is Air-Conditioning Engineers
somewhat mixed, but several cus- (ASHRAE) Handbook do not recom-
tomers who originally used J cages in mend the use of copper or brass
angular contact ball bearings and the alloys in ammonia systems, since
old generation of cylindrical roller these materials are subject to stress
bearings have redesigned to other corrosion cracking. For example,
cage types. since copper tubes have residual
stresses from bending, steel tubing is
used instead of copper tubing.
Fig 35
50
7 Refrigeration compressors - ammonia compressors
Tests using ammonia have been that solid, one-piece machined brass
developed to determine the presence cages do not crack or corrode in a
of residual stresses in copper and concentrated ammonia environment.
brass. One such test is DIN 50916.
Because of the industry's general Machined steel cage (F and FA suffix)
recommendations regarding copper Because of the residual stresses
and brass, ammonia compressor found in pressed and some machined
;;;;;;;;
manufacturers have traditionally brass cages, ammonia compressor
avoided pressed brass and machined manufacturers hesitate to use them,
brass cages in compressor bearings. and they prefer machined steel
This position is technically correct cages. The machined steel cage
for pressed brass cages, since offers good contact geometry
pressed brass cages contain residual between the rolling elements and the
stresses from the pressing operation. cage, and stress corrosion is not an
SKF solid, one-piece machined brass issue with steel. However, limited pro-
cages, however, are stress free and duction limits the availability of the
are not subject to stress corrosion machined steel cage.
cracking. Testing at the SKF A typical failure of a bearing due to
Engineering & Research Centre and excessive quantities of ammonia is
longer term experience has shown shown ( fig 35 ).
;;
; ;;;
Fig 36
;;; 51
7 Refrigeration compressors - ammonia compressors
52
8 Natural and sour gas compressors
Photo Courtesy of
Frick/York International
53
9 Comparative viscosity classifications
Comparative viscosity
classifications
Fig 37
54
10 Unit conversion
Unit conversion
55
11 References
References
56
10
Although care has been taken to assure the accuracy of the data compiled in this publication, SKF USA inc. does not Publication 100-956
assume any liability for errors or omissions.
57