Angled Dry Steam Nozzle for Gas Turbine Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods for gas turbines, such as hand-cleaning, dry ice cleaning, and wet steam cleaning, are inefficient and logistically challenging due to remaining contaminants and waste management issues, necessitating a more effective and minimally disruptive cleaning technique for internal surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a dry steam wand with a custom nozzle that directs dry steam at an acute angle and maintains high temperature and pressure to efficiently remove contaminants from difficult-to-access areas within gas turbines, overcoming the limitations of conventional nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hand-cleaning is used to clean gas turbine internal surfaces, then the cleaning process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the cleaning effectiveness is poor and significant contaminants remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with a steam-based thermal cleaning system. The steam cleaning device uses high-temperature steam to remove contaminants through thermal energy rather than mechanical action, achieving both effectiveness and operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in steam parameters (temperature, pressure) to achieve effective cleaning. By controlling steam at specific temperature and pressure ranges, the system achieves thorough contaminant removal while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If dry ice cleaning is used to clean gas turbine internal surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but large amounts of dry ice must be stored and managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning agent (steam) from a solid storage form and delivers it directly from a boiler system through piping. This eliminates the need for storing large quantities of cleaning material on-site, as steam is generated and delivered as needed through the steam delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a steam delivery system with piping and nozzles to transport and apply the cleaning agent. The steam is delivered through a controlled fluid delivery system rather than manual handling of solid cleaning materials.
3Reliability
If wet steam cleaning is used to clean gas turbine internal surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but large volumes of waste water are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dry steam (steam with very low moisture content) rather than wet steam. By controlling the steam parameters to achieve low moisture content, the system achieves effective cleaning while minimizing water waste and eliminating the need for extensive water removal operations.
4Device complexity
If conventional nozzles are used for steam cleaning, then the equipment is simple, but the steam cannot maintain sufficient temperature and pressure to remove contaminants from difficult to access surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a specialized nozzle design with specific geometric features (angled opening, internal passage configuration) that are optimized for delivering steam to difficult-to-access surfaces. The nozzle's local structural characteristics enable it to maintain steam temperature and pressure while directing steam at appropriate angles for effective contaminant removal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables rapid and thorough cleaning of gas turbine internal surfaces, effectively removing contaminants while minimizing downtime and logistical issues associated with waste production.
Implementation Method 1
positioning the nozzle proximate to the internal surface to maintain a temperature of greater than 350 degrees F. at the internal surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for cleaning a surface using dry steam is disclosed. A dry steam wand is fitted with a custom nozzle that permits the dry steam to be angled to clean difficult to access surfaces of a gas turbine. The nozzle includes a slit that is configured to maintain sufficient temperature and pressure to effectively remove contaminants found on gas turbines.