Gas turbine engines and systems and methods for removing particulate matter therefrom during operation

A method for removing particulate matter from an operating gas turbine engine while passing a primary gas flow stream with particulate matter suspended therein through an engine flowpath of the operating gas turbine engine, the method comprising the steps of:

• maintaining an electrostatic charge of a first polarity on a flowpath surface of each portion of the engine flowpath;
• maintaining an electrostatic charge of the first polarity on the particulate matter;
• and
• maintaining an electrostatic charge of a second polarity on a bleed discharge duct intersecting the engine flowpath at a bleed location, the bleed discharge duct defining a bleed air flowpath and in flow communication with an associated bleed port having an outlet exterior of the operating gas turbine engine.

A gas turbine engine comprising:

• an inside engine component having a plurality of surfaces including a flowpath surface defining at least a portion of an engine flowpath, at least the flowpath surface and the engine flowpath configured to be electrostatically charged to a first polarity and to be exposed during operation of the gas turbine engine to a primary gas flow stream with particulate matter suspended therein;
• a bleed discharge duct intersecting the engine flowpath to define a bleed air flowpath, the bleed discharge duct configured to be electrostatically charged to a second polarity, the second polarity opposite the first polarity;
• and
• a bleed port in flow communication with the bleed discharge duct, the bleed port having an outlet exterior of the gas turbine engine.