Whether selecting new or maintaining existing process equipment, bearings are a critical component in the equipment’s reliability, efficiency, and life. The majority of rotating process equipment today relies upon either rolling element or fluid film bearings to counteract gravity and developed forces in the equipment and allow for free rotation of the shaft. Selecting the right bearing for the equipment and application is essential to the successful operation of that equipment. A key difference between rolling element and fluid film bearings for personnel concerned about the maintenance of process equipment is the expected life of the bearings. Rolling element bearings typically have a predictable life based on the operating conditions; fluid film bearings, when properly designed and maintained, can operate for decades. Additional comparisons of rolling element and fluid film bearing characteristics, such as lubrication needs and the ability to handle impact loads, are provided in t
Reliability and Maintenance Management Consultants