System and method for optimized gas turbine compressor cleaning and performance measurement

• US 8,273,184 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2010
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EcoServices, LLC (Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited)
• Original Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Line Maintenance Services, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Wagner, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US12/687,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20100116292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 134/18, 134/21.1, 134/56.R, 134/113, 134/123
• US Class Current: 134/18
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam B08B9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/00 Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/002 Cleaning of turbomachines
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/705 Adding liquids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for optimizing a wash procedure. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system for optimizing a wash procedure. In a first embodiment, the system comprises: means for collecting a sample of fouling, the sample comprising one or more contaminates; means for identifying the one or more contaminates; and means for selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for optimizing a wash procedure. The method comprises: collecting a sample of fouling, wherein the sample comprises one or more contaminates; identifying the one or more contaminates; and selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing a wash procedure for a turbine, the method comprising:

collecting a sample of fouling, wherein the sample of fouling comprises one or more contaminates;

identifying the one or more contaminates;

determining a contaminate solubility index of the one or more contaminants;

selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine, wherein the one or more washing products are identified according to the contaminate solubility index of the identified one or more contaminates; and

washing the turbine using the selected one or more washing products for a predetermined amount of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample of fouling is a water wash and water rinse sample.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample of fouling a physical sample.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the physical sample is taken using solvent.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the physical sample is taken using abrasive paper.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the physical sample is taken using a scrapper.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more contaminates are identified using a mass spectrometer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more washing products are commercially available.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

collecting a first set of data regarding one or more turbine parameters.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more turbine parameters comprises turbine thrust.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more turbine parameters comprises turbine output.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more turbine parameters comprises turbine pressure.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more turbine parameters comprises fuel flow.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

collecting a second set of data regarding one or more ambient conditions.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more ambient conditions includes ambient weather temperature data.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more ambient conditions includes ambient weather humidity data.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more ambient conditions includes ambient weather pressure data.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more ambient conditions includes location data.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more ambient conditions includes season data.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

comparing first and second data sets collected before the turbine is washed with first and second data sets collected after the turbine is washed; and

formulating an optimized wash procedure.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

controlling a turbine washing unit using the formulated wash procedure.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

formulating a performance trend of the turbine.

23. A method of optimizing a turbine wash procedure, the method comprising:

collecting a sample of fouling, wherein the sample of fouling comprises one or more contaminates;

identifying the one or more contaminates;

selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine;

washing the turbine using the selected one or more washing products for a predetermined amount of time;

collecting a first set of data regarding one or more turbine parameters;

collecting a second set of data regarding one or more ambient conditions;

comparing first and second data sets collected before the turbine is washed with first and second data sets collected after the turbine is washed;

formulating an optimized wash procedure;

controlling a turbine washing unit using the formulated wash procedure; and

developing a performance trend of the turbine.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the performance trend of the turbine includes data regarding performance from before and after the wash procedure.