Vibration Control of Condensate Motors in Nuclear Powerplant By Bearing Redesign

베어링 재설계에 의한 원전 COP motor의 진동 제어

This paper presents the summary of control of abnormal vibration found in the COP motors of a nuclear power plant. All six identical units of COP pump-motor assemblies showed unstable vibration pattern of which one or two showed higher vibration enough to exceed the allowable level from the installation stage. Many trials of test, measurement, overhaul and replacement had been repeated to investigate and solve the problem but only to reach unsatisfactory settlement. Recently several times of site tests are made and followed by significant diagnostic actions in which the authors group participated. It was found that the coupled shafting system of motor and pump is in close resonance with the $1^{st}$ shaft rotating speed. Redesign of topside motor bearing clearance is made to increase bearing stiffness and hence to avoid the resonance which consequently led to reduce the troubled vibration to allowable and stable status.