At present, the lubrication methods of slurry pump bearings are grease lubrication and thin oil lubrication. The advantages and disadvantages of these two lubrication methods are explained as follows:
Grease lubrication is a lubrication method in which grease is filled in the bearings. This method was used when the WARMAN pump was introduced. This lubrication method has been verified by the market for decades and has been operating well. It has been recognized by most slurry pump users. .
Thin oil lubrication is a lubrication method where the bearing is immersed in the oil bath to lubricate the bottom of the oil bath. In addition to some slurry pumps, this lubrication method is also used for some sewage pumps and chemical pumps. It is also a very mature lubrication method in the pump industry.
Comparison of the advantages & disadvantages of the two lubrication methods
| Lubrication | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Method | ||
| Grease Lubrication | 1. Most of the slurry pumps operating in mines and power plants around the world use grease lubrication. Have good field operation experience. 2. Easy maintenance, grease lubrication only needs to add grease regularly during the maintenance period, avoiding the trouble of changing oil. 3. Suitable for harsh environments. 4. Suitable for horizontal and vertical slurry pumps. 5. Once the bearing starts to run, the excess grease will be automatically discharged by the bearing, thereby playing a cooling role. 6. The bearing is always covered with a layer of grease to prevent corrosion. | 1. The grease condition cannot be monitored from the outside |
| 2. When the grease nozzle is not cleaned, it is easy to bring contaminants into the bearing. | ||
| 3. Too much grease will cause the bearing to overheat. | ||
| 4. Contaminants are easily mixed into grease stored outside. | ||
| Thin Oil Lubrication | 1. No need to disassemble the bearing assembly to add more oil or drain the entire system and refuel | 1. Sometimes the leaked oil will accumulate dirt near the equipment and pollute the environment. |
| 2. External cooling can be added for cooling system | 2. The bracket needs to be kept level in order to make the lubrication even | |
| 3. Can adapt to applications with higher temperature range than grease lubrication do | 3. Too much oil will cause leakage and heat generation | |
| 4. You can easily check the oil level and condition through the oil dipstick or oil hole | 4. Not suitable for vertical applications | |
| 5. If the oil is polluted or particles enter, it can be easily exported and replaced or filtered and removed. | 5. If the bearing is exposed to the air during a long shutdown, incomplete lubrication will happen |