Feature

Michell Bearings’ unique capability a success for nuclear station blackout

Michell Bearings has successfully completed station blackout (SBO) tests on a thrust and guide bearing used within the reactor coolant pump at a new-build nuclear power plant.

29/06/2021 11:45:49

In what is thought to be one of the world’s first successful bearing run-downs, the test demonstrated the bearing’s ability to survive a station blackout condition without the use of an externally powered high-pressure oil injection system.

Failure of the on-site power generators, concurrent with the loss of off-site power ultimately, results in a station blackout condition as there is no on-site electricity available to power the high-pressure oil injection system.

To meet testing requirements, the bearing must be able to run down to a stop, under full load, and restart without any subsequent intervention.

As part of the contract to supply six thrust and guide bearings, a custom-made test rig was constructed at the Michell Bearings site to satisfy the test conditions...

Read the full article in the July issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.