Conference paper
https://doi.org/10.18048/2022.04.21
Technical and Ecological Aspects of Water-lubricated Stern Tube Bearings
Vladimir Pelić
orcid.org/0000-0003-0378-9572
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Studentska 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Tomislav Mrakovčić
orcid.org/0000-0003-1179-2771
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering, Vukovarska 58, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Radoslav Radonja
orcid.org/0000-0001-6686-2381
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Studentska 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Nikola Račić
; University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Ruđera Boškovića 37, 21000 Split, Croatia
Abstract
A ship’s propulsion system has a significant impact on the ship’s energy efficiency, environmental
friendliness, reliability and safety. An indispensable part of a propulsion system with mechanical power
transmission is a stern tube with bearings. During operation, the sliding bearings material is subjected
to stresses caused by a force proportional to the total mass of the shaft and propeller. The reliability
of stern tube bearings is particulary important for safety, and their durability has a significant impact
on maintenance costs. Depending on the lubricant, there are bearings that are lubricated with oil or
water. The permissible bearing load with hydrodynamic lubrication depends primarily on the material,
the viscosity of the lubricant used and the shaft speed. Metals and their alloys with a low coefficient
of friction are used for oil-lubricated bearings. Bearings lubricated with water are made of a special
type of hardwood (“tree of life”, lat. lignum vitae), rubber or various synthetic materials. The main
advantages of oil-lubricated bearings are higher allowable load and durability than water-lubricated
bearings. This paper analyses the technical and environmental aspects of the application of waterlubricated
bearings whose main advantages are simplicity, better cooling and environmental protection.
Keywords
Stern tube bearing; water-lubrication; environmental protection
Hrčak ID:
278716
URI
Publication date:
24.4.2022.
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