As the demand for energy – and carbon-neutral energy – grows around the world, so do the demands put on the equipment operating in the oil & gas industry.
Depleting oil and natural gas reserves require higher performing rotating equipment that places extraordinary demands on rotor-bearing systems. Emerging hydrogen and hydrogen-blend applications also raise performance requirements.
Fluid film bearings and magnetic bearing systems from Waukesha Bearings are used at almost every stage of oil and gas production – in pumps, compressors, turboexpanders and motors used in the extraction, refining, transport and storage of oil and natural gas. In partnership with machine designers, Waukesha Bearings engineers apply extensive industry expertise, proven design codes and industry-leading technologies to deliver bearing solutions tailored for specific application requirements.
Proprietary bearing design features, advanced material options and robust magnetic bearing solutions all help drive equipment to new levels of performance, reliability and availability, particularly in remote and subsea oil & gas applications.
Waukesha Bearings is committed to the ongoing development of fluid film and magnetic bearing technologies. With a brand-new Innovation Lab in Houston and advanced magnetic bearing test rigs in Worthing, England, we have unparalleled capabilities to test and validate new products and processes under real-life conditions; provide field analysis and upgrade solutions; and develop next generation technologies.
Waukesha Bearings custom engineers tilt pad and fixed profile journal bearings to specific operating conditions. With specialized features, such as ‘Directed Lubrication’, our bearings are designed to transfer radial loads with minimum power loss and optimum dynamic characteristics.
Waukesha Bearings offers fixed profile thrust bearings for lightly loaded applications and advanced tilting pad solutions for more demanding operating conditions. Tilt pad designs may be non-equalizing or self-equalizing with flooded or ‘Directed’ lubrication to support the unique requirements of turbomachinery.
Polymer, ceramic and cermet bearing surfaces extend the operating limits of fixed profile and tilting pad bearings to handle higher temperatures, higher loads and thinner films.
Waukesha Bearings offers a range of material options to maximize thrust bearing life in electric submersible pumps (ESPs), increasing efficiency, production and the operating life of the pump.
Waukesha Bearings brush seals can minimize leakage gaps in compressors and increase operational efficiencies. The compliancy of a brush seal allows sealing clearances to be significantly reduced, while its low profile allows simple integration with labyrinth seals.
Waukesha Magnetic Bearings leads the industry in custom-engineered magnetic bearing systems for large turbomachinery and high-performing rotating equipment. Achieve high reliability and availability with active magnetic bearings that come standard with remote connectivity and the most advanced digital control systems.
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