Tribological Tests of Friction Pair Materials for the GT-MHR Turbomachine Catcher Bearings

A power plant with high-temperature helium-cooled reactors (GT-MHR) (Figure 1) for electricity generation includes a turbomachine (TM) that provides helium circulation in the primary circuit and converts the coolant thermal power into electricity in the direct gas turbine cycle. Operability of the TM for the GT-MHR reactor plant (Figure 2) mainly depends on reliability of the electromagnetic suspension system for the vertical flexible rotor with a total weight of 67.7 tons and length of 29 meters. The electromagnetic suspension system for the TM rotor consists of axial and radial electromagnetic bearings (EMB), EMB control system, and catcher bearings (CB).