Turbine Engine Cleaning Solution Using Organic Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines face significant fouling due to mineral dust ingestion, leading to performance degradation, with existing cleaning methods like water wash treatments and dry ice impingement being ineffective in removing thermal reaction products and secondary deposits from turbine components.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning solution comprising water, organic acids such as citric acid and glycolic acid, isopropylamine sulphonate, alcohol ethoxylate, triethanol amine, and sodium lauriminodipropionate, which selectively dissolves oxide-based, chloride-based, sulfate-based, and carbon-based constituents of foreign material while being unreactive with turbine component materials, facilitating in-situ cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water wash treatment is used to clean turbine components, then the cleaning process is simple and widely applicable, but it fails to remove accumulated mineral dust and thermal reaction products
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning solution by incorporating organic acids (citric acid, glycolic acid) and surfactants in specific concentrations. This transforms the cleaning mechanism from simple water washing to a chemically active solution that can dissolve thermal reaction products and mineral dust, thereby improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining process simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution is formulated as a composite system containing multiple components: organic acids for chemical dissolution, surfactants for surface activation and particle suspension, and water as the base solvent. This composite approach enables the solution to simultaneously address different types of fouling deposits that single-component water wash cannot remove
2Reliability
If dry ice particles are impinged against turbine components, then mechanical removal of foulant is achieved, but the method is not tailored to dissolve deposits based on elemental composition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and chemical composition parameters by using a liquid cleaning solution instead of solid dry ice particles. The solution's chemical composition is specifically designed to dissolve various types of deposits (CMAS, mineral dust, interstitial cement) through chemical reactions, providing adaptability to different deposit compositions while maintaining effective fouling removal
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the turbine components and the fouling deposits. The organic acids and surfactants in the solution interact chemically with the deposits, breaking them down and facilitating their removal, thereby providing selective action tailored to different deposit elemental compositions
3Reliability
If acid solution including HxAF6 is used to treat turbine surfaces, then low-temperature reaction-based products are removed, but the method requires engine tear-down and service repair shop environment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH parameter and chemical composition of the cleaning solution by using organic acids with controlled acidity levels and buffering agents. This allows the solution to effectively remove thermal reaction products while being safe enough for use in operational environments, eliminating the need for engine tear-down and complex service repair shop procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution is designed to be self-contained and easy to apply, requiring no complex equipment or specialized facilities. The engine can be cleaned in-situ during maintenance operations without complete disassembly, allowing the system to serve itself by removing fouling deposits during routine maintenance rather than requiring external service repair shop intervention
4Reliability
If cleaning solution with high acid concentration is used to remove foreign material, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but damage to underlying components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the concentration parameters of organic acids in the cleaning solution to achieve effective foreign material removal while controlling the aggressiveness of the solution. The buffered pH system and controlled acid concentrations enable sufficient cleaning action without causing excessive damage to underlying turbine components
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactants and chelating agents in the cleaning solution act as intermediary substances that enhance the removal of foreign material through chemical complexation and surface activation. These intermediaries facilitate the dissolution and suspension of deposits, reducing the need for high acid concentrations and thereby protecting underlying components from damage
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning solution for a turbine engine includes water; a first organic acidic component that comprises citric acid; a second organic acidic component that comprises glycolic acid; isopropylamine sulphonate; alcohol ethoxylate; triethanol amine; and sodium lauriminodipropionate. The cleaning solution has a pH value between about 2.5 and about 7.0.