Transportable Integrated Wash Unit for Gas Turbine Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine compressor cleaning systems are not self-contained and require external resources such as water and power, making them costly and inefficient, leading to reduced compressor performance and increased emissions due to lack of routine cleaning in portable or peaking units.
Innovation Solution
A transportable integrated wash unit that integrates all necessary components, including a power source, reservoir tanks, supply pump, manifold, and water treatment system, allowing for self-contained and cost-effective cleaning of gas turbine compressors with minimal water usage and reduced emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external water and power resources are used for compressor cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate cleaning systems into a single integrated wash unit that includes water storage tanks, power generation equipment, pumping systems, and treatment facilities all mounted on one mobile platform. This merging eliminates the need for external water and power resources while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through self-contained operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile wash unit is designed as a multi-functional system that can serve multiple gas turbine compressors at different locations. The unit universally provides water storage, power supply, cleaning fluid delivery, and waste treatment functions, making it adaptable to various cleaning scenarios without requiring infrastructure at the service location.
2Productivity
If routine cleaning is performed to maintain compressor performance, then air flow and power production are improved, but water consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wash unit incorporates water treatment and recycling facilities that capture used cleaning water, filter out contaminants and fouling particles, and reuse the treated water for subsequent cleaning operations. This recovery process significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional single-use cleaning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated wash unit is designed to be self-sufficient with onboard water storage tanks and power generation equipment, eliminating the need for external infrastructure. The system serves itself by containing all necessary resources and treatment capabilities within the mobile unit, reducing operational complexity and cost.
3Loss of energy
If compressor cleaning is neglected to reduce operational cost, then water and maintenance expenses are reduced, but emissions increase and service intervals are shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile wash unit is designed to be self-sufficient with onboard water storage tanks and power generation equipment, eliminating the need for external infrastructure. The system serves itself by containing all necessary resources and treatment capabilities within the mobile unit, reducing operational complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables flexible adaptation to different compressor types and cleaning requirements through adjustable parameters such as water flow rate, pressure, and treatment intensity. This allows optimization of water usage and treatment processes to minimize operational costs while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
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 enables flexible and effective cleaning of both mobile and stationary gas turbine compressors, improving performance, extending service intervals, and reducing emissions by up to 5% annually compared to unwashed units, without the need for external resources.
Implementation Method 1
a supply pump in communication with the manifold for delivering the wash liquid to the nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of nozzles in communication with the manifold, wherein the nozzles are arranged to atomize and direct the wash liquid onto a compressor
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A transportable wash unit (10) comprises a wash fluid delivery system for delivering wash fluid to a desired washing location; a power supply for providing power to components of the transportable washing unit; a unit controller for controlling one or more components of the transportable wash unit; and a mobility unit (13) for mobilizing the transportable wash unit.