Operational Data for a Large Vertical Thrust Bearing in a Pumped Storage Application

This paper presents operating temperatures for a 2756 mm (108.5″) 10-shoe thrust bearing installed in a vertical turbine generator in a pumped storage application. The rated output of the generator is 350 MW at a rotational speed of 257 RPM. Temperature data will be presented for shaft speed up to 257 RPM and loads that ranged from 8.00 to 11.12 MN (1.8 to 2½ million pounds) thrust. The data presented demonstrates the relative effect that the hydrostatic lift has on bearing operating temperatures. Some conclusions are drawn based upon the effect that the hydrostatic lift has on bearing operating temperatures.