CLEANING METHOD FOR JET ENGINE

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An apparatus for foaming a water soluble liquid cleaning agent, comprising:
a housing defining an internal flowpath, the flowpath having first, second, and third flow portions arranged sequentially, said housing having a gas inlet, a liquid inlet for the water soluble cleaning agent, and a foam outlet; said first flow portion including a gas plenum that is adapted and configured for receiving gas under pressure from the gas inlet and including a plurality of apertures, said plenum and the interior of said housing cooperating to form a mixing region receiving liquid from the liquid inlet and receiving gas expelled from the apertures, said first portion providing a first foam of the liquid and the gas into the internal flowpath; said second flow portion receiving the first foam and flowing the first foam past a foam growth member adapted and configured to provide surface area for attachment and merging of cells of the first foam to create a second foam; and said third flow portion receiving the second foam and flowing the second foam through a foam structuring member adapted and configured to reduce the size of at least some of the cells of the second foam to create a third foam provided to the foam outlet.