Fault diagnosis of journal bearing in a hydropower plant using wear debris, vibration and temperature analysis: A case study

Analysis of wear debris, vibration and temperature of journal bearing has been integrated to increase the accuracy in fault diagnosis of a hydropower plant. Samples of used lubricating oil, vibration data and bearing temperature at different intervals were collected. Wear particles and acceleration caused by vibration were analysed for the fault detections. An abnormal increase in the temperature and vibrational energy was observed after 200 days of continuous operations. In the last sample, an abnormal increase in aspect ratio of the wear particles was also observed. Scratches and wiping mark were found over the surface of bearing block and side thrust pad. This confirmed the fault of machine by the analysis of condition monitoring data. Further rectification was done by the replacement of bearing block.