Selective Turbine Cleaning via High-Viscosity Gel Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods for turbine engine components are inefficient and costly, often requiring multiple cycles, large volumes of cleaning fluid, and manual application, which can be environmentally and health hazardous, and struggle with selective cleaning of components with multiple materials or localized deposits.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a high-viscosity cleaning composition that selectively contacts and removes engine deposits from turbine engine components, minimizing exposure to incompatible materials and allowing for efficient, targeted cleaning without excessive removal of the base metal, through a cleaning apparatus with a manifold assembly for circulation and recirculation of the cleaning composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but cleaning cost and time increase due to multiple cycles and large volumes of cleaning fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the cleaning composition by increasing its viscosity to a gel-like state. This parameter change allows the cleaning composition to remain in contact with the component surface longer without running off, thereby achieving effective cleaning in a single cycle rather than requiring multiple cycles with conventional low-viscosity cleaners
Solution Approach 2:
The high-viscosity cleaning composition maintains continuous contact with the component surface throughout the cleaning process. The gel structure ensures sustained exposure of the active cleaning agents to the deposits without interruption from fluid flow or runoff, enabling complete cleaning in one application
2Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but environmental and health hazards increase due to large volumes of cleaning fluid
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the viscosity parameter to create a gel-like cleaning composition, the patent reduces the total volume of cleaning fluid required. The thickened formulation stays localized on the component surface, minimizing spillage, evaporation, and disposal requirements, thereby reducing environmental and health hazards associated with large volumes of chemical cleaners
3Manufacturing precision
If selective cleaning is required for components with multiple materials or localized deposits, then cleaning precision is improved, but process complexity increases due to additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The high-viscosity gel cleaning composition enables local quality control by allowing precise application to specific areas of the component. The gel structure prevents the cleaner from flowing into areas where cleaning is not desired, naturally providing selectivity without requiring complex masking or disassembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thickening agent as an intermediary substance that modifies the physical properties of the cleaning composition. This intermediary creates a gel structure that acts as a self-limiting medium, confining the cleaning action to areas where the gel is applied while preventing unwanted contact with incompatible materials
4Reliability
If cleaning composition contact area is limited, then material compatibility is improved, but cleaning efficiency decreases without additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the viscosity parameter to create a gel formulation, the patent enables the cleaning composition to be applied in a controlled, localized manner while maintaining cleaning efficiency. The gel structure allows the active ingredients to remain concentrated at the application site, providing both material compatibility through limited contact and high productivity through effective localized cleaning
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
Enables effective and efficient selective cleaning of turbine engine components, reducing corrosion, minimizing human contact, and allowing for the reuse and safe collection of the cleaning composition, while maintaining the integrity of the underlying metal.
Implementation Method 1
cleaning composition having a viscosity of at least 10 4 centipoises... selectively contacting the cleaning composition with a surface of the turbine engine component... at least partial removal of the oxide
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
System (200) for selectively contacting a cleaning composition (10) with a surface of a turbine engine component is presented. The system includes a cleaning apparatus (210) and a manifold assembly (220). The cleaning apparatus (210) includes an upper portion (211) and a lower portion (212) defining a cleaning chamber (213) configured to allow selective contact between the cleaning composition (10) and a surface of the first portion of the turbine engine component. The upper portion (211) includes a plurality of fill holes (201) in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber (213), and the lower portion (212) includes a plurality of drain holes (202) in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber (213). The manifold assembly (220) is configured to selectively circulate the cleaning composition (10) from a reservoir (250) to the cleaning chamber (213) via the plurality of fill holes (201), and recirculate the cleaning composition from the cleaning chamber (213) to the reservoir (250) via the plurality of drain holes (202). Methods for selectively cleaning a turbine engine component is also presented.