Turbine Engine Cleaning Solution Dissolving CMAS Deposits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines face significant fouling due to environmental particulate matter, leading to performance degradation and the formation of calcia, magnesia, alumina, silica (CMAS) based reaction products, which are difficult to remove using existing cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning solution comprising water, organic acidic components such as citric acid and glycolic acid, isopropylamine sulphonate, alcohol ethoxylate, triethanol amine, and sodium lauriminodipropionate, with a pH value between 2.5 and 7.0, is directed towards turbine engine components to selectively dissolve and remove foreign material, including CMAS-based reaction products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water wash treatments are used to clean turbine components, then the cleaning process is simple and environmentally friendly, but the accumulated mineral dust and CMAS reaction products cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by incorporating organic acids (citric acid, glycolic acid) and surfactants at specific concentrations to achieve effective removal of CMAS reaction products while maintaining environmental compatibility and process simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution uses a composite formulation combining multiple ingredients (organic acids, surfactants, water) to achieve synergistic effects that enable removal of refractory fouling deposits while maintaining ease of application and environmental friendliness
2Reliability
If dry ice particles are used for mechanical removal of foulant, then the cleaning method can remove accumulated mineral dust, but it is not specifically tailored to dissolve CMAS reaction products and requires complex equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dry ice particle impact method with a chemical cleaning solution that dissolves and removes CMAS reaction products, achieving effective cleaning without complex mechanical equipment or specialized delivery systems
3Reliability
If acid solutions including HxAF6 are used to remove low-temperature reaction products, then the cleaning is effective for specific deposits, but the method is only applicable after engine tear-down in service repair shop environment
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning solution is designed with broad-spectrum effectiveness to handle various types of fouling deposits (mineral dust, CMAS reaction products, interstitial cement) and can be applied in multiple settings including in-situ engine cleaning and service repair shop environments, replacing the need for engine disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the pH and chemical composition parameters of the cleaning solution to effectively dissolve CMAS reaction products and other deposits, enabling application flexibility across different cleaning scenarios without requiring engine tear-down
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 cleaning solution effectively removes oxide-based, chloride-based, sulfate-based, and carbon-based constituents of the foreign material from turbine components, while being substantially unreactive with the materials used to form the turbine components, thereby minimizing damage and improving engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning solution comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of water... an organic acidic component... wherein the organic acid comprises citric acid... wherein the organic acid comprises glycolic acid
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning solution effectively removes oxide-based, chloride-based, sulfate-based, and carbon-based constituents of the foreign material from turbine components, while being substantially unreactive with the materials used to form the turbine components
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.