Targeted Fluoride Ion Cleaning for Turbine Oxide Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluoride ion cleaning processes for gas turbine components are inefficient and time-consuming due to the increasing size of components and tenacity of oxides, affecting both damaged and undamaged areas, and are limited by component size, gas supply, and scrubber flow capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A fluoride ion cleaning system with a retort and gas distribution system that includes a manifold, flow modulator, and nozzles to create an agitated flow of reaction gas at targeted areas using pressure differentials, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high concentration fluoride ion cleaning processes are used to remove tenacious oxides from larger components, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cleaning cycle time increases and undamaged areas are unnecessarily affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing reaction gas flow specifically to damaged target areas on turbine components using localized nozzles, rather than uniformly treating the entire component surface. This localized approach concentrates cleaning effectiveness where needed while reducing overall cycle time and protecting undamaged areas from unnecessary exposure to high concentration fluoride ions.
2Manufacturing precision
If high concentration fluoride ion cleaning processes are used to remove tenacious oxides, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of gas supply and scrubber flow requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality through localized gas delivery nozzles positioned at specific target areas, which reduces the overall gas supply requirements compared to treating entire large components. This localization simplifies gas supply system design and reduces scrubber flow capabilities needed, while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness at the damaged areas.
3Manufacturing precision
If uniform heating and working fluid distribution is provided across the entire component, then cleaning consistency is improved, but larger components require longer cleaning cycles and higher resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from uniform treatment to localized quality control by applying reaction gas flow only to damaged target areas on turbine components. This approach maintains cleaning consistency at the treated areas while dramatically improving productivity for large components, as only specific regions require attention rather than the entire component surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the cleaning process by dividing the component surface into damaged target areas and undamaged areas, applying different treatment intensities to each segment. This segmentation enables focused cleaning on smaller critical areas, reducing overall cycle time and resource consumption while maintaining cleaning quality where it matters most.
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 improves cleaning quality and reduces cycle time by focusing agitated flow on specific areas, effectively removing oxides from larger and harder-to-clean superalloy components without affecting undamaged areas.
Implementation Method 1
using pressure differentials, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing cycle time
Data Source
AI summary
A fluoride ion cleaning system is provided. The system includes a retort including an interior sized to receive at least one component therein. The at least one component has a target area defined thereon. The system also includes a gas distribution system. The gas distribution system includes a manifold configured to provide reaction gas within the interior, a flow modulator configured to agitate the reaction gas within the interior, and at least one nozzle in flow communication with the flow modulator. The at least one nozzle is adapted to define an agitated flow of reaction gas at the target area of the at least one component.