Solid Carbon Dioxide Cleaning for Jet Engine Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft jet engines face efficiency reduction due to contamination from insects, dust, salt mist, and combustion residues, which affect thermodynamic performance and increase fuel consumption, with existing cleaning methods like water or coal dust either ineffective or leaving residues.
Innovation Solution
A device using solid carbon dioxide as a cleaning medium, introduced through nozzles connected to the turbofan shaft, which forms flakes that detach contaminants via thermal effects without abrasive damage, ensuring complete sublimation and residue-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is used as cleaning medium, then cleaning capability is provided, but residues remain in the engine and surface quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of carbon dioxide from solid (dry ice particles) to gas (sublimation) as the cleaning medium passes through the engine. The solid particles provide mechanical cleaning impact, then sublimate completely into gas, eliminating any liquid or solid residues that would remain with water-based cleaning methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical cleaning system (water-based cleaning requiring rinsing and drying) with a thermal-phased system using carbon dioxide that sublimes completely, eliminating the need for additional removal steps and avoiding surface damage associated with abrasive mechanical cleaning.
2Productivity
If coal dust is used for cleaning, then abrasive cleaning effect is achieved, but surface of engine parts is attacked and residues remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs carbon dioxide particles that undergo phase transition from solid to gas during the cleaning process. This provides the necessary mechanical impact for effective cleaning, then the particles sublimate completely, eliminating abrasive residues that would damage engine surfaces and contaminate the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses carbon dioxide particles as a disposable cleaning medium that performs its cleaning function and then completely sublimates into gas. This short-lived cleaning agent eliminates the problem of abrasive residues left by coal dust, as the CO2 particles disappear completely after use, leaving no harmful contamination.
3Area of stationary object
If cleaning liquid is sprayed into rotating engine, then cleaning coverage is improved, but complex nozzle positioning and rotation synchronization is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbon dioxide particles that behave similarly to liquid spray in terms of dispersion and coverage, but with the advantage of being introduced through simpler nozzle systems. The particles disperse through the engine similarly to how liquid droplets would, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring complex rotation synchronization mechanisms.
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 carbon dioxide cleaning method effectively removes contaminants across the engine components, enhancing efficiency and safety by eliminating residues, allowing for thorough and residue-free cleaning of jet engines, usable at any temperature, and ensuring improved thermodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
which forms flakes that detach contaminants via thermal effects without abrasive damage
Implementation Method 2
ensuring complete sublimation and residue-free operation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cleaning a jet engine (50), comprising a supply unit (2) which provides the cleaning medium, a nozzle unit (4), which is configured for feeding the cleaning medium into the jet engine (50), and a line connection (3) between the supply unit (2) and the nozzle unit (4). According to the invention, the cleaning medium is solid carbon dioxide. The object of the invention is further an arrangement of such a device and a jet engine (50) and a method for cleaning a jet engine (50) using solid carbon dioxide.