Hydro Applications
With the increasing demand for clean energy production, there is a need for a bearing material which can withstand the harsh conditions and long reliable operating times of hydroelectric power generation. Thordon bearing materials low wear and zero maintenance properties yield a bearing ideally suited for use in hydro applications.
In addition, Thordon bearings and seals all function without the use of oil or other environmentally damaging petroleum based lubricants, thus eliminating the risk of costly environmental hazard cleanup.
Contents of this section:
Main Guide Bearings
Axial and Radial Shaft Seals
Wicket Gate and Operating Ring Bearing
Hydro Water Quality Package
New Equipment & OEM's
Conversions
Hydro Bearing and Seal Products
Main Guide Bearings
Thordon hydro main guide bearings offer a long life, low- maintenance, water lubricated upgrade for traditional sealed grease, and water lubricated systems.
Avalon Bearings in partnership with Thordon Bearings Inc. offers several main guide bearing installation methods to best suit individual project needs:
- Full form installation
- Mechanically fastened installation
- Taper key installation
Benefits include:
- Oil and grease free operation
- Long operational life
- No catastrophic failure
- Low wear in abrasive environments
- Low friction
- Dry startup capabilities
- High resistance to shock and load variation
Axial and Radial Shaft Seals
Thordon SXL segmented shaft seals are designed to replace carbon graphite and phenolic seal segments in clean, or abrasive laden waters, up to a size of 2000mm (80") in diameter.
- Radial segmented shaft seals are capable of functioning up to a maximum sealed water pressure of 0.7 Mpa (100psi)
- Axial segmented shaft seals are typically recommended for environments in which the pressure exceeds 0.7 Mpa (100psi)
- Specific leakage amount will vary based on application conditions, however Thordon SXL seal leakage will be less than an equivalent carbon graphite seal
- Seals are tough and non-brittle, reducing risk of damage during installation
Wicket Gate and Operating Ring Bearing
Thordon wicket gate and operating ring bearings can operate wet or dry and require no oil or grease. This eliminates the cost of maintenance, and environmental damage associated with traditional lubricated bearings.
Benefits Include:
- No galling from edge loading caused by minor misalignment
- Can be machined on site to accommodate dimensional inconsistencies
- Quick stock and custom delivery to meet rehabilitation schedules
Hydro Water Quality Package
Thordon water quality packages (WQP's) are devices which function to improve the quality of the lubrication water by filtering out abrasive particles of size larger than 100 microns and with a specific gravity of 1.2 or higher. Because the operating conditions of hydro and marine applications differ, Thordon offers a Hydro WQP designed specifically for use in hydro generation.
- Built in low flow alarm
- Can operate as a stand alone unit or fully integrated into systems
- Three different sizes to accommodate individual generator needs
New Equipment & OEM's
Avalon Bearings in partnership with Thordon Bearings Inc. works closely with OEM's to provide them with expert bearing design and high quality products. By using bearings designed by Avalon Bearings and Thordon Bearings Inc., your company can manufacture turbines and control mechanisms that will outlast and outperform competitors, all while reducing maintenance requirements, environmental impact, and operational downtime.
Conversions
Currently existing hydro plants can benefit from upgrading to bearings manufactured from Thordon materials. Thordon materials can function in a variety of lubrication options depending on application, they can be:
- Homogeneously self lubricating (frictional properties do not change with wear)
- Most recommended for low PVT conditions
- Water lubricated
- Most recommended for high PVT conditions
- Oil lubricated
- Greased
and require little to no maintenance. These bearings can be designed to replace existing traditional greased, oiled...etc. bearings. To learn about the benefits which using Thordon grade bearings can provide, please contact Avalon Bearings.
Hydro Bearing and Seal Products
ThorPlas-Blue
ThorPlas-Blue is an engineered thermoplastic, capable of dry start-up and design pressures up to 45Mpa (6,527 psi). It operates in water, up to 80°C (230°F). In dry conditions, it operates up to 100°C (230°F). In non-abrasive environments, ThorPlas-Blue has very low wear rates.
Thordon HPSXL TRAXL
Thordon HPSXL TRAXL is suitable for high pressure applications up to 55MPa (8,000 psi) dynamic or 70MPa (10,000 psi) static. The coefficient of friction is typically between 0.06-0.12 and is highly resistant to shock loading and vibration.
Thordon SXL
Thordon SXL is capable of working pressure up to 10MPa (1,450 psi). The coefficient of friction is typically between 0.10-0.20. SXL is capable of dry start-up and can operate in either wet or dry environments. It is highly resistant to abrasion, shock loading, and vibration.
Thordon Composite (GM2401)
Thordon Composite is made specifically for use in very abrasive water environments. Compared to rubber, Composite is stiffer, has at least twice the abrasion resistance, and has a lower coefficient of friction. Composite is easy to install, water lubricated (no grease), and reduces maintenance downtime.
Thorseal Hydraulic Seal
Thorseal hydraulic seal keeps abrasives away from the bearing surface. It is capable of working pressures from 0-100 MPa (0-15,000 psi) and is extremely tough, never cutting or tearing. It has a low coefficient of friction, is self-lubricating, and has a long wear life with reduced maintenance costs. Thorseal can be custom designed to solve difficult sealing challenges.
