CLEANING METHOD FOR JET ENGINE
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Abstract
Turbines and associated equipment are normally cleaned via water or chemical pressure washing via a mist, spray systems. However, these systems fail to reach deep across the gas path to remove fouling materials. Various embodiments herein pertain to apparatus and methods that utilize the water and existing chemicals to generate a foam. The foam can be introduced at that gas-path entrance of the equipment, where it contacts the stages and internal surfaces, to contact, scrub, carry, and remove fouling away from equipment to restore performance.
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Citations
91 Claims
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1-47. -47. (canceled)
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48. A method for scheduling a foam cleaning of turbine, comprising:
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quantifying a range of improvement to an operational parameter of a family of gas turbine engines achievable by foam washing of a member of the family; operating a specific engine of the family; measuring the performance of the specific engine during said operating; determining that the specific engine should be foam washed; and scheduling a foam cleaning of the specific engine. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91)
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54-57. -57. (canceled)
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58. A method for providing a gas-foamed liquid cleaning agent to a gas turbine engine:
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operating a gas turbine engine installed on an aircraft; measuring the performance of the engine during said operating; determining that the engine should be foam washed based on said measuring; operating a source of a liquid cleaning agent, a liquid pump, and a source of pressurized gas; mixing pressurized gas with pressurized liquid and creating a supply of foam; and streaming the supply of foam into the engine. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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Specification