Recent advances in water-lubricated bearings

High performance associated with environmental preservation is a challenge for power producers. The use of hydrostatic water-lubricated bearings, instead of classical oil-lubricated systems, offers a non-polluting solution with many technical advantages. Studies on water-lubricated systems have enabled enhanced bearing characteristics to be developed and have reduced energy losses. This make it possible to improve the global plant efficiency. Furthermore, by eliminating the need for some equipment, such as the shaft seal and the oil circulation pumps, water-lubricated radial bearing and axial thrust bearing technologies reduce maintenance requirements and increase powerplant availability.