Compressor Cleaning Apparatus with Dual Temperature Fluid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbines face efficiency reduction due to dust and icing issues on compressor components, particularly in cold weather, where conventional cleaning methods can exacerbate icing problems.
Innovation Solution
A compressor cleaning apparatus employing a dual fluid supply system with a first cleaning fluid at room temperature and a second cleaning fluid at 200° C to 400° C, including steam, along with an antifreeze agent, to prevent icing and efficiently clean compressor components in cold conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cleaning water is sprayed on the compressor in cold weather environment below 4° C., then the compressor can be cleaned, but icing occurs on the compressor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the cleaning fluid from room temperature (conventional) to high temperature (200-400°C). This parameter change ensures that the cleaning fluid remains above freezing point even in cold weather environments below 4°C, preventing icing on the compressor surface while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary heating to the cleaning fluid before it is sprayed onto the compressor. By pre-heating the water to 200-400°C in a heating device, the system ensures that the cleaning fluid arrives at the compressor surface already at a temperature that prevents icing, addressing the cold weather problem before the cleaning process begins.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high temperature cleaning fluid is used to prevent icing, then icing is prevented, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses periodic action by alternating between steam injection and hot air injection cycles. The steam is injected in pulses rather than continuously, and the system switches between different cleaning fluids periodically. This periodic operation reduces cumulative energy consumption compared to continuous high-temperature fluid injection, while still maintaining effective icing prevention during each cleaning cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hot air as a substitute or complementary cleaning medium to steam in certain phases. Hot air can be generated more efficiently than steam in some configurations, and using hot air for drying or less severe cleaning situations provides an energy-efficient alternative that achieves similar icing prevention without the full energy cost of steam generation.
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 apparatus effectively prevents icing and maintains compressor efficiency by alternately injecting steam and hot air, ensuring thorough cleaning and drying while rotating the compressor, thus addressing the challenges of cold weather operation.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator configured to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
a steam storage configured to store the steam generated by the steam generator
Implementation Method 3
a nozzle configured to inject a cleaning fluid into an interior of a compressor
Implementation Method 4
an antifreeze supply connected to a steam supply line to supply an antifreeze agent that lowers a freezing point of water to the steam
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor cleaning apparatus to clean a compressor of a gas turbine is provided. The compressor cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle configured to inject a cleaning fluid into an interior of a compressor, a fluid supply tube connected to the nozzle to supply the cleaning fluid to the nozzle, a first cleaning fluid supply connected to the fluid supply tube to supply a first cleaning fluid, and a second cleaning fluid supply connected to the fluid supply tube to supply a second cleaning fluid having a temperature higher than that of the first cleaning fluid.