Improper sealing during machine operation has undesirable outcomes, such as unwanted downtime and economic losses. Leakages cause troubles like fluid contamination, equipment damage, and maintenance issues.
Ensuring proper sealing is critical for the smooth functioning of equipment like electric submersible pumps used in oil and gas extraction. A thrust washer bearing seals and supports the axial load in such equipment. It is a rotary bearing that helps reduce friction between rotating parts. 
What are Thrust Washers and Where Can They be Applied?
What is a thrust washer? Simply put, it is a circular component typically used with radial sliding bearings to withstand axial loads. The thrust washer can stably support the shaft and bearings during machine operation, prevent axial movement, and ensure the normal operation of machines.
A thrust washer bearing can be made from materials like silicon carbide, carbon graphite, and tungsten carbide, depending on load and environmental conditions.
These washers find diverse applications where axial load support and sealing are crucial. They are commonly used in places involving rotating movement, like motors, pumps, and winches.
Specifically, thrust washer bearings see extensive use in electric submersible pumps (ESPs) for oil extraction. Installed between the motor and pump part, it aids the smooth functioning of ESPs operating in challenging deep-well conditions involving high pressure, temperature, and abrasion.
What are the Functions of Thrust Washer Bearings?
A reliable thrust washer bearing performs several critical functions. It helps ensure the smooth and reliable operation of electric submersible pumps and similar equipment.
Top functions include:
- Sealing and Protection
A thrust washer bearing forms an effective seal between rotating and stationary components. It protects internal pump parts and prevents fluid leaks. The components are protected from contamination and damage caused by the intrusion of external debris.
By maintaining a tight seal even under high pressures and temperatures, thrust washers extend service life and reduce the maintenance needs of ESPs.
- Axial Load Support
ESPs work in deep oil wells and encounter enormous axial forces acting on the shaft. Thrust washers effectively support substantial axial loads generated.
Their circular design and appropriate material help uniformly distribute these high-contact loads across the width of adjoining surfaces. This prevents unequal stress concentrations that could lead to overload failures over time.
- Reduce Friction
Rotating surfaces experience friction during operation, which causes wear and reduces efficiency. A thrust washer bearing made of wear-resistant materials minimizes friction between sliding surfaces using oil grooves.
Its surface finish and precise clearances are engineered to create an even lubricating film for smooth rotation with minimal friction points.
- Stable Rotation Axis
ESPs require stable rotation of shafts over long duty cycles while working under changing well conditions. Thrust washers immobilize the axial movement of shafts with their rigid yet low-friction design.
This stabilizes the rotation axis and controls imbalance or vibration from shaft movement.
How to Avoid Electric Submersible Pump Failure
Given the harsh operating conditions of ESPs used in oilfields, following certain best practices can significantly lower the risk of premature pump failures.
Attention to these details helps maximize the lifespan of ESP investments:
- Regular Maintenance and Cleaning
ESP maintenance schedules involve routinely inspecting all components for cracks, defects, or residue build-up that may impede functions over time. Timely cleaning keeps ESPs from corrosive fluids and solids that could accelerate wear.
Regularly changing lubricants removes contaminants and helps ensure smooth thrust washer operation.
- Choose High-Quality Component Materials
ESPs experience substantial pressure, heat, abrasion, and corrosion in oil wells. Using thrust washers and bearings crafted from premium-grade, corrosion-resistant materials like high-purity silicon carbide ensures they withstand diverse downhole conditions without losing durability.
- Timely Check for Abnormal Machine Conditions
Catching anomalies prevents expensive damages. Regularly monitoring tools check for excess vibration, noise, or fluid leaks that could indicate issues.
Abnormally high operating temperatures may also signal problems. Promptly inspecting and addressing early warnings averts costly maintenance stops from neglected small issues.
JUNTY’s Thrust Disc/Washer
Headquartered in Chicago, JUNTY has extensive experience manufacturing high-performance sealing solutions. With a dedicated R&D team, we craft thrust discs to optimize durability in demanding applications.
Our thrust washers, available in corrosion-resistant grades, effectively distribute loads to increase ESP service life.
Our thrust disc/washer is designed to excel in harsh environments encountered by ESPs. Its key characteristics include:
- Enhanced Load Capacity:Optimal geometry maximizes the load-bearing abilities of the thrust bearing washer.
- Superior Wear Resistance:The silicon carbide, carbon graphite, and tungsten carbide material’s heightened hardness and mechanical properties provide outstanding abrasion and erosion resistance.
- Minimal Friction:Our precise machining and lapping techniques produce very low surface roughness, enabling the lowest friction during operation.
- Corrosion Resistance:The material’s inherent properties, coupled with our special surface treatments, result in unsurpassed resistance to damage from harsh fluids and resistance to chemical corrosion.
- Support Customization
Conclusion
Overall, the thrust washer bearing is an indispensable component that aids sealing, extends equipment life, and boosts efficiency. Its role becomes even more vital in demanding applications involving significant stress like ESPs.
As a leading producer with a solid reputation, JUNTY reliably supplies thrust washers engineered to optimal standards for consistent, reliable performance in all conditions. Visit our website to learn more about our thrust disc/washer and similar solutions.
