Method, system and apparatus for enhanced off line compressor and turbine cleaning
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAlston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatus for cleaning turbines, such as power generation turbines, are disclosed. Supplemental piping is connected to existing compressor air extraction and turbine nozzle cooling air piping, to supply water and/or cleaning agents into areas of a turbine not ordinarily accessible by injection of water and/or cleaning agents into the bellmouth of the turbine alone. Pressure and flow sensors, pumps, valving, and a control system to regulate the operation of the pumps and valving are provided to control the introduction of water and/or cleaning agents into the turbine.
Claims20
A turbine engine system comprising:
- a turbine engine including a compressor section, a turbine section, compressor section air extraction piping, and turbine section air extraction piping;
- water supply piping, connected in flow communication with a supply of water;
- cleaning agent supply piping connected in flow communication with at least one supply of cleaning agent;
- a mixing chamber, connected in flow communication with the water supply piping and the cleaning agent supply piping, the mixing chamber being configured to receive water from the water supply piping and at least one cleaning agent from the cleaning supply piping, and produce a cleaning mixture;
- cleaning mixture supply piping, connected in flow communication with the mixing chamber, the cleaning mixture supply piping being connected in flow communication with the compressor section air extraction piping and the turbine section air extraction piping to selectively supply cleaning mixture to one of the compressor section and the turbine section;
- at least one pump, connected in flow communication with at least one of the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, and the cleaning mixture piping;
- and
- a control system, connected to the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, the cleaning mixture piping, and the at least one pump, the control system operably configured to regulate flow of water, cleaning agent, and cleaning mixture through the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, and the cleaning mixture supply piping, respectively.
A method for cleaning a turbine engine having a compressor section, a turbine section, compressor air extraction piping and turbine air extraction piping, said method comprising:
- connecting water supply piping in flow communication with a supply of water;
- connecting cleaning agent supply piping in flow communication with at least one supply of cleaning agent;
- connecting a mixing chamber in flow communication with the water supply piping and the cleaning agent supply piping, the mixing chamber configured to receive water from the water supply piping and at least one cleaning agent from the cleaning supply piping, and produce a cleaning mixture;
- connecting cleaning mixture supply piping in flow communication with the mixing chamber;
- connecting the cleaning mixture supply piping connected in flow communication with the compressor section air extraction piping and the turbine section air extraction piping to selectively supply cleaning mixture to one of the compressor section and the turbine section;
- and
- connecting a control system to the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, and the cleaning mixture piping to regulate flow of water, cleaning agent, and cleaning mixture through the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, and the cleaning mixture supply piping, respectively.
A system for cleaning a turbine engine having a compressor section, a turbine section, compressor air extraction piping and turbine air extraction piping, said system comprising:
- water supply piping, connected in flow communication with a supply of water;
- cleaning agent supply piping connected in flow communication with at least one supply of cleaning agent;
- a mixing chamber, connected in flow communication with the water supply piping and the cleaning agent supply piping, the mixing chamber being configured to receive water from the water supply piping and at least one cleaning agent from the cleaning supply piping, and produce a cleaning mixture;
- cleaning mixture supply piping, connected in flow communication with the mixing chamber, the cleaning mixture supply piping being connected in flow communication with the compressor section air extraction piping and the turbine section air extraction piping to selectively supply cleaning mixture to one of the compressor section and the turbine section;
- at least one pump, connected in flow communication with at least one of the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, and the cleaning mixture piping;
- and
- a control system, connected to the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, the cleaning mixture piping, and the at least one pump, the control system operably configured to regulate flow of water, cleaning agent, and cleaning mixture through the water supply piping, the cleaning agent supply piping, and the cleaning mixture supply piping, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.