Gas Turbine Compressor Blade Cleaning Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning compressor blades in gas turbines, such as spraying a cleaning liquid while the compressor is rotating, do not sufficiently remove dirt and require periodic opening of the gas turbine for manual wiping, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a water-soluble cleaning liquid with a surfactant applied to the blades, followed by a setting-aside period, initial wiping to remove oil stains and loosen dust, and a subsequent application of a dilute cleaning liquid or water for final dust removal, improving the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a water-soluble cleaning liquid containing surfactant is applied to the blade and wiped after setting aside, then oil stains are removed and dust adhesion is loosened, but inorganic dust is not completely removed
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is divided into two distinct stages: first using a surfactant-containing cleaning liquid to remove oil stains and loosen dust, then using water or dilute cleaning liquid to remove inorganic dust. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific types of contamination, achieving complete cleaning that neither method could accomplish alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the concentration parameter of the cleaning liquid between stages. The first stage uses a cleaning liquid with surfactant at a specific concentration optimized for oil removal, while the second stage uses water or dilute cleaning liquid with lower surfactant concentration optimized for inorganic dust removal. This parameter adjustment optimizes cleaning effectiveness for different contaminant types.
2Productivity
If a cleaning liquid with high surfactant concentration is used, then oil stains are effectively removed, but inorganic dust removal is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process separates oil stain removal and dust removal into distinct stages with different cleaning liquid formulations. The first stage uses high surfactant concentration for oil removal, while the second stage uses low surfactant concentration or water for dust removal, preventing the limitations of using a single formulation for both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant concentration parameter is adjusted between cleaning stages. The first application uses high concentration for oil removal efficiency, while the second application uses low concentration or water for optimal inorganic dust removal, thereby achieving both high productivity and complete cleaning.
3Manufacturing precision
If the compressor is opened for periodic inspection to wipe blades, then complete cleaning is achieved, but workability and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning method enables operators to achieve complete cleaning (including inorganic dust removal) using a portable two-stage cleaning process that does not require opening the compressor. The process uses readily available materials (cleaning liquid and water) and simple wiping actions that can be performed during routine maintenance without specialized access.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is segmented into two sequential wiping steps with different liquid applications, allowing complete cleaning to be achieved through a simple, portable process that maintains compressor integrity and avoids the need for opening equipment for maintenance.
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
This method effectively removes oil stains and loosens dust adhesion, allowing for improved workability and complete removal of dirt from compressor blades, enhancing the efficiency of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble cleaning liquid containing a surfactant is applied to the blade
Implementation Method 2
water or a dilute cleaning liquid having a lower concentration of the surfactant than that in the cleaning liquid applied in the first application step is applied to the blade
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cleaning a blade of a rotary device includes: a first application step of applying a water-soluble cleaning liquid containing a surfactant to the blade; a setting-aside step of setting the blade to which the cleaning liquid has been applied aside; a first wiping step of wiping the blade after the setting-aside step; a second application step of applying water or a dilute cleaning liquid having a lower concentration of the surfactant than that in the cleaning liquid applied in the first application step to the blade after the first wiping step; and a second wiping step of wiping the blade after the second application step.