Use of water as a medium in rotating unions:
Paper and textile industry
- Cooling rollers Cooling rollers : Rotating unions are used to cool the rollers in order to supply water and maintain a uniform temperature of the roller, which improves the quality of the manufactured products.
- Drying rollers Rotary feedthroughs guide water or steam through the rollers to ensure optimum drying of the end product.
Steel and metal processing
- Rolling mills: For cooling rollers and lubricating bearings to ensure a uniform temperature and reduced wear under high loads.
- Machine tools: Rotary unions supply rotating tools with cooling emulsion to dissipate the heat from the cutting tools and lubricate the cutting surface. This increases tool life and improves the surface finish.
Food and beverage industry
- Processing systems: In food processing, such as rotating drums or conveyor systems, rotating unions are used to supply water for cleaning or cooling.
- Bottle filling systems: Rotating unions help to fill cleaning agents, disinfectants and water for cleaning bottles.
Chemical and pharmaceutical industry
- Reactors and mixers: To dissipate heat from rotating components in reactors and mixers, rotating unions are operated with cooling water.
- Drying processes: Rotating unions supply rotating dryers and centrifuges with water or temperature-controlled air to regulate the drying process.
Mechanical engineering and automotive industry
- Machining centers: Rotary feedthroughs supply cutting tools and milling spindles with cooling water to prevent the spindles from overheating and/or to extend tool life.
- High-pressure cleaning systems: In rotating cleaning systems, e.g. for car body cleaning, water is fed through rotary feedthroughs to enable uniform cleaning of rotating high-pressure nozzles.
Power generation
- Power stations: In hydroelectric power stations and steam turbines, rotating unions are used for cooling and lubrication to protect rotating shafts and turbines from overheating.
Note: The applications listed are only an excerpt and are for illustrative purposes. Due to the large number of possible areas of application, not all use cases can be shown here.
Advantages of rotating unions for use with water
Efficient cooling
Ensures constant cooling of rotating components and prevents overheating.
Reduction of machine wear
Reduces friction and extends the service life of components.
Improved process quality
Stabilizes the temperature, resulting in high product quality.
Environmentally friendly and cost-efficient
Water is inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
Reliability at high speeds and pressures
Safe operation even under demanding conditions.
Flexible adaptation to different media
Compatible with various water-based liquids.
Easy maintenance and replacement
Maintenance-friendly design, minimizes downtimes.
Increased machine performance
Enables higher speeds and power levels, increases productivity.
