Dynamic analysis and frequency response of cylindrical roller bearing of an airflow root blower

Cylindrical roller bearing is an important component of the airflow root blower of a power generation plant, and its malfunction has been identified as one of the root causes of poor quality demineralized water produced during operation. Hence, there is need to study the dynamic behaviour of a typical cylindrical roller bearing of an airflow root blower. In this study, the dynamic analysis of a cylindrical roller bearing subjected to different rotational speeds was simulated using finite element analysis software, Abaqus. The frequency response of the bearing was determined experimentally and analytically, and the modal frequency results obtained from both analyses were compared. The outcome of the dynamic analysis showed that the maximum temperature and Hertzian stress was developed on the outer ring of the bearing during operation, thus making this component most prone to failure. It was observed that the value of the temperature and stress developed increase with an increase in rotational speed. However, at a rotational speed greater than 503 rad/s, a drop in the Hertzian stress was developed due to the stress relaxation the bearing experience at the higher temperatures. A good agreement was obtained when the modal frequency of the frequency response obtained numerically was compared with those obtained experimentally.