Failure Analysis in Bearings Contaminated by Fertilizers Arlindo de Goes Moreira, Leandro Sabino Araújo

Abstract

Bearings are essential elements for the operation of rotating equipment applied to dynamic loads with medium efforts, lubrication being a fundamental element for the operational continuity of bearings. In places where the aggressiveness of the environment is detrimental to the continuity of the lubrication process, such as NPK granulated fertilizer production plants, an acronym that represents Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, which have a high degree of aggressiveness due to humidity, their acidic Ph which favors corrosion conditions, directly interfering with the MTBF, mean time between failures, of bearings exposed to this environment, often being capable of prematurely causing lubrication failure of the bearings. Analyzes such as the quality of the lubricants used, verification of lubrication intervals using a failure analysis technique and recommendations from equipment manufacturers are essential elements within the reliability management of the company's assets.