Turboengine wash system

• US 9,316,115 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EcoServices, LLC (Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited)
• Original Assignee: EcoServices, LLC (Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited)
• Inventors: Sales, Hubert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kornakov, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHATLEY, KATELYN B
• Application Number:
  US12/578,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20100031977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,380 Days
• Field of Search: 239/106, 239/110, 134/34, 134/36, 134/50, 134/34.1, 134/99.1, 134/103.2, 134/103.3, 134/22.1, 134/22.12, 134/22.13, 134/22.14, 134/22.18, 134/22.19, 134/22.11, 134/94.1, 134/98.1, 134/167.R, 134/171
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0093 At least a part of the apparatus, e.g. a container, being provided with means, e.g. wheels or casters for allowing its displacement relative to the ground
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/166 the material to be sprayed being heated in a container B05B7/208 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/26 Apparatus in which liquids or other fluent materials from different sources are brought together before entering the discharge device B05B7/2402 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/003 Cleaning involving contact with foam
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/08 the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect substances used, see the relevant classes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/10 with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/00 Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/093 by the force of jets or sprays B08B9/0813 , B08B9/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/044 Hand-held cleaning arrangements with liquid or gas distributing means B60S3/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/042 Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/002 Cleaning of turbomachines
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/323 for aircraft propulsion, e.g. jet engines

Abstract

A system for cleaning gas turbine engines is described. More specifically, methods and apparatuses for cleaning stationary gas turbines and on-wing turbofan engines found on aircraft are disclosed that includes a trailer-mounted, automated low-pressure water delivery system, additive and detergent injection system, nozzle and manifold technology, and active waste water effluent collector system. The system will deliver the liquid cleaning medium at a specific pressure, temperature and flow rate to optimize the atomization that occurs at the nozzles.

Claims

1. A method for turbine engine cleaning with an engine cleaning apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

pressurizing an aqueous wash medium with an automated, low-pressure water delivery system operating from 200 psi to 725 psi;

incorporating additives and/or detergents into the wash medium; and

delivering the wash medium into the engine with a plurality of nozzles, wherein said nozzles are arranged on a manifold array, with each nozzle having its own unique characteristics as to droplet size, flowrate, and dispersion spray pattern different from the characteristics of the other nozzles to deliver the wash medium uniquely from each of the plurality of nozzles, wherein at least one nozzle is directed towards the engine core to direct spray toward air flow path through the engine and at least one nozzle is directed toward blades in the engine to directly impinge on pressure and suction side of blades.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing a portable power generator that will power the engine cleaning apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

purging the wash medium from the engine cleaning apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

controlling the engine cleaning apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

collecting the aqueous wash medium after said medium transverses the engine through suction of the engine exhaust airflow.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

treating the collected aqueous wash medium after said medium has been collected.

7. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of:

heating the wash medium prior to delivering the wash medium into the engine.

8. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of:

collecting the wash medium with a collection device comprising an air mist separator adapted to separate liquids and solids from air and positioned such that an airstream exiting the engine contacts the collection device and the collection device separates liquid and solids entrained in the airstream from air.

9. The method of claim 8, and further comprising the step of:

collecting liquid that contacts the collection device into a reservoir.

10. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of:

placing a trough under the engine so that the trough collects wash medium that drips from the engine.

11. A method for turbine engine cleaning with an engine cleaning apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

pressurizing an aqueous wash medium with an automated, low-pressure water delivery system operating from 200 psi to 700;

incorporating additives and/or detergents into the wash medium; and

delivering the wash medium into the engine with a plurality of nozzles, wherein said nozzles are arranged on a manifold array, with each nozzle having its own unique characteristics as to droplet size, flowrate, and dispersion spray pattern different from the characteristics of the other nozzles.

12. A method for turbine engine cleaning with an engine cleaning apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

pressurizing an aqueous wash medium with an automated, low-pressure water delivery system operating from 200 psi to 725 psi;

incorporating additives and/or detergents into the wash medium; and

delivering the wash medium into the engine with a plurality of nozzles, wherein said nozzles are arranged on a manifold array, with each nozzle having its own unique characteristics as to droplet size, flowrate, and dispersion spray pattern different from the characteristics of the other nozzles to deliver the wash medium uniquely from each of the plurality of nozzles; and

controlling the pressure, flow rate, temperature and dispersion from the nozzles and the duration of the wash using a feed-back automation system.