Method and apparatus for cleaning a turbofan gas turbine engine

摘要

Device for cleaning a gas turbine engine, and in particular an engine of turbofan type. The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning such an engine. The device comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged to atomize cleaning liquid in the air stream in an air inlet of the engine up-stream of a fan of the engine. According to the invention, a first nozzle is arranged at a position such that the cleaning liquid emanating from the first nozzle impinges the surfaces of the blades substantially on the pressure side; a second nozzle is arrange at a position such that the cleaning liquid emanating from the second nozzle impinges the surfaces of the blades substantially on the suction side; and a third nozzle is arranged at a position such that the cleaning liquid emanating from the third nozzle passes substantially between the blades and enters an inlet of the core engine. Thereby, the different types of fouling found on the fan and in the core engine compressor of turbofan engine can be removed in an efficient manner.