Engine Wash Collector With Adjustable Droplet Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for cleaning gas turbine engine compressors produce contaminated effluent during washing, which poses environmental and biosystem hazards, and stricter airport regulations require efficient collection of this effluent.
Innovation Solution
A collector system comprising a frame, an adjustable and expandable droplet separator package, an extendable chute with scissor lift, and a collector tank, which separates and collects wash liquid from the airstream and engine drains, allowing for efficient containment and storage of the effluent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wash units spray wash fluid into the engine to remove contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and biosystem hazards worsen due to contaminated effluent discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the contaminated effluent from the washing process by introducing a collection system with chutes and tanks that capture and contain the waste liquid, removing it from the environment before it can cause pollution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary collection system consisting of chutes, separators, and tanks that mediate between the washing process and the environment, capturing effluent before it reaches natural waterways or soil
2Device complexity
If a fixed collection system is used for effluent, then collection simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different engine sizes and configurations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the collection system adjustable and reconfigurable - the chutes can be repositioned, the tanks can be relocated, and the components can be reconfigured to match different engine sizes, shapes, and washing setups
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal collection system that can serve multiple engine types and configurations through standardized components that can be adapted and reconfigured for different applications
3Productivity
If effluent is not collected during washing, then operational efficiency is improved, but compliance with environmental regulations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by positioning the collection system in place before washing begins, with chutes ready to capture effluent from the start of the washing process, ensuring continuous collection without interrupting the washing workflow
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 system effectively collects and stores wash effluent from engine washing operations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations by separating and containing the contaminated liquid, allowing for safe disposal or treatment, and is versatile enough to accommodate various engine sizes and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a height adjustable and expandable droplet separator package connected to the frame, the droplet separator package to receive a flow of wash liquid entrained in an airstream emanating from an engine
Data Source
AI summary
A collector for collecting wash liquid from an engine washing operation include a frame; a height adjustable and expandable droplet separator package connected to the frame, the droplet separator package to receive a flow of wash liquid entrained in an airstream emanating from an engine; a height adjustable and extendable chute with side walls and a scissor lift, the chute connected to the droplet separator package and extending at least partially under an engine to collect liquid exiting the engine; a collector tank connected to the frame to collect liquid from the droplet separator package and the chute; and a drainage pipe connecting at least one of the chute and the droplet separator to the collector tank.