Plant & Works Engineering July/August 2022

A t a time when the world is looking to limit its energy usage and impact on the climate, pressure is mounting on industry world-wide to reduce its overall environmental impact. The products and services we produce need to be sustainable; they need to be produced through economically-sound processes that minimise negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources. Individual bearings use relatively little energy, but as they are in such widespread use and are also one of the most frequently replaced components, the sustainability of the bearings you use matters. By applying the 3 Rs waste hierarchy - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – to bearings, we can make a genuine difference. Reduce Is it possible to reduce the number of bearings used? Well, you can’t simply not use a bearing where one is required, but by extending their life you can reduce the total number of bearings used during that machine’s lifespan. To ensure longevity, select the right bearing for the task at hand. There’s an incredibly wide range to choose from, many of which have been designed for specific applications and industries, so do your homework or ask for advice on the bearing best suited to your specific needs. Not only should the bearing be the right type, but it should also be of a good quality. Opting for a low cost, unrecognisable brand not only risks premature failure and costly downtime, but it may also lose performance over time which almost always results in wasted energy as most systems keep drawing power despite the drop or lack of output. Every second of wasted production equates to wasted energy and impacts on a days’ production targets. Ensuring product is correctly fitted also has a part to play. Misalignment can lead to friction and vibration which can significantly increase energy consumption, plus the risk of premature failures. Alignment tools are readily available which allow you to increase machine reliability through easy to use and accurate alignment. Other options include selecting products that don’t require realignment, such as SKF Cooper Split Spherical Roller Bearings that do not require the drive coupling or the cantilevered drive to be dismounted to replace the bearing; these bearing types are easily and safely replaced in situ. Reducing water and detergent usage in washdowns – a particular issue for pharmaceutical and food & drink sectors - is a major issue. The wastewater from this cleaning is often contaminated from excess bearing grease. This can be reduced by using sealed, re-lubrication free bearings such as SKF’s Food Line ball bearing units – Blue Range, which require 33% less heated water for cleaning when compared to open bearing units. Furthermore, there is no lubricant to contaminate the Process, Controls & Plant Focus on: Seals, Bearings & Lubrication How to achieve the 3 Rs in Bearings By applying the 3 Rs waste hierarchy - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - to bearings, we can make a genuine difference, explains Alan Stewart, Brammer Buck & Hickman Bearing Product Manager – SKF Products. 18 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk July/August 2022