초록

The present application thus provides a cleaning system for use with a compressor of a turbine engine. The cleaning system may include a wash nozzle positioned about the compressor and a spheroid injection port to inject a number of spheroids therein.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cleaning system for use with a compressor of a turbine engine, comprising: a wash nozzle positioned about the compressor to inject a flow of water into the compressor;a spheroid injection port to inject a plurality of spheroids into the compressor, wherein the spheroid injection port is downstr

1. A cleaning system for use with a compressor of a turbine engine, comprising: a wash nozzle positioned about the compressor to inject a flow of water into the compressor;a spheroid injection port to inject a plurality of spheroids into the compressor, wherein the spheroid injection port is downstream of an outer casing of a bellmouth of the compressor; anda drainage system configured to recover the plurality of spheroids, the drainage system comprising a wash door assembly positioned about the bellmouth, wherein the wash door assembly may be closed when the wash nozzle is activated. 2. The cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising a spheroid source in communication with the spheroid injection port. 3. The cleaning system of claim 1, and wherein the wash door assembly is positioned along a lower half of the bellmouth. 4. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spheroids are made from one or more of a malleable material and an abrasive material. 5. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spheroids are made from a material that disintegrates at elevated temperatures. 6. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spheroids are made from one or more of a rubber and a thermoplastic. 7. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the wash door assembly comprises a wash door with a “U”-like shape. 8. The cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the wash door assembly extends between an inner casing of the bellmouth and the outer casing of the bellmouth. 9. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the wash nozzle is in communication with a water source and a detergent source. 10. The cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wash nozzles. 11. The cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising one or more downstream wash nozzles positioned about one or more stages of the compressor. 12. The cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising a wash controller in communication with the wash nozzle and the spheroid injection port. 13. A method of cleaning a compressor, comprising: injecting a plurality of spheroids through a spheroid injection port that is downstream of an outer casing of a bellmouth of the compressor;activating a wash nozzle;closing a wash door assembly positioned about the bellmouth when the wash nozzle is activated;rotating the compressor at a predetermined speed;separating the plurality of spheroids from water;recovering the plurality of spheroids through the wash door assembly; andreusing the plurality of spheroids during a subsequent injecting of the plurality of spheroids through the spheroid injection port. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of injecting a cleaning solution through the wash nozzle. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the wash door assembly is positioned about a lower half of the bellmouth. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of injecting the cleaning solution through a downstream wash nozzle. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the rotating step comprises rotating the compressor at turning gear speed. 18. A compressor for use with a gas turbine engine, comprising: a bellmouth;a plurality of stages downstream of the bellmouth;a compressor cleaning system;the compressor cleaning system comprising a wash nozzle and a spheroid injection port positioned about the bellmouth, wherein the spheroid injection port is downstream of an outer casing of the bellmouth; anda drainage system configured to recover the plurality of spheroids, the drainage system comprising a wash door assembly positioned about the bellmouth, such that the wash door assembly may be closed when the wash nozzle is activated.