For any power generation project, efficiency and reliability are two very important characteristics. So, when a 2-star Michelin restaurant in Belgium decided to refurbish its water wheel generator, it needed to source new bearings. With such close proximity to water, the new bearings would also require excellent sealing properties, which led to the installation of a Revolvo split roller bearing (SRB).

The restaurant, located in the south of Belgium, planned to replace the existing steel water wheel with a new, more efficient, glass-reinforced nylon design. The aim of the project was for the new water wheel to produce sufficient electricity to power the restaurant, with any surplus being fed back into the local grid and generating an additional income stream.

The simplicity of fitting a split roller bearing, compared to a solid bearing, is a major factor in its longevity. Because they can be removed and replaced by  supporting the shaft, there is no need to lift the shaft, or obtain access to the shaft ends. This eliminates the need for expensive and awkward to handle lifting equipment. This feature is valuable for all applications, especially regarding large machines, where sheer size and weight is a barrier to fast and cost effective servicing.

This particular application required exceptional sealing properties from the bearing, which was fitted with a Walker Seal arrangement with a single garter lock spring and retaining plate to provide protection against water ingress. The seal design has subsequently been tested following adverse weather with increased the river level and partially submerged the bearing.

“Revolvo has a very successful history of installing bearings in applications where they will be submerged in water, or much worse," said Adrian Menzies, Revolvo’s sales and marketing director. "Thanks to a very effective sealing system our bearings are capable of surviving far longer than traditional bearings with no more than basic maintenance required. Another advantage of the SRB is that when they do reach the end of their life they are very easy to replace.”