Gas Turbine Engine Wash System

Abstract

A wash system for a gas turbine engine includes a foam generating device configured for receiving and aerating a flow of wash fluid to generate a flow of foamed wash fluid having particular foam characteristics. The flow of foamed wash fluid passes through a distribution manifold where it is selectively directed through a plurality of wash lines to desired portions of the gas turbine engine. The wash system further includes a controller configured for manipulating the foam characteristics of the flow of foamed wash fluid and using the distribution manifold to selectively direct the flow of foamed wash fluid to desired portions of the gas turbine engine for optimal cleaning and improved engine efficiency.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular foam cart for washing a gas turbine engine, the modular foam cart comprising:
 a detergent reservoir for storing wash fluid;   a pump configured for receiving a flow of wash fluid and pressurizing the flow of wash fluid;   a foam generating device in fluid communication with the pump, the foam generating device being configured for aerating the flow of wash fluid to generate a flow of foamed wash fluid;   a distribution manifold in fluid communication with the foam generating device, the distribution manifold being configured for selectively directing the flow of foamed wash fluid through a plurality of wash lines; and   a controller in operative communication with the foam generating device, the controller being configured for manipulating one or more foam quality characteristics of the flow of foamed wash fluid based on one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine.   
     
     
         2 . The modular foam cart of  claim 1 , wherein manipulating one or more foam quality characteristics includes manipulating a density of the flow of foamed wash fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The modular foam cart of  claim 1 , wherein manipulating one or more foam quality characteristics includes manipulating a temperature or a flow rate of either the flow of wash fluid or a flow of air into the foam generating device. 
     
     
         4 . The modular foam cart of  claim 1 , further comprising a foam quality sensor positioned within the flow of foamed wash fluid proximate the distribution manifold. 
     
     
         5 . The modular foam cart of  claim 1 , wherein the gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of borescope holes and the plurality of wash lines provide fluid communication between the distribution manifold and the plurality of borescope holes for selectively providing a portion of the flow of foamed wash fluid to the gas turbine engine. 
     
     
         6 . The modular foam cart of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution manifold comprises a plurality of valves, wherein each of the plurality of valves fluidly connects a respective one of the plurality of wash lines to the foam generating device. 
     
     
         7 . The modular foam cart of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of valves are operable independent of one another to provide a first flow of foam through a first wash line according to a first spray schedule and a second flow of foam through a second wash line according to a second spray schedule, wherein the first spray schedule is different than the second spray schedule. 
     
     
         8 . The modular foam cart of  claim 7 , wherein the first spray schedule includes at least one of a magnitude, a velocity, a pressure, a temperature, a spray duration, or a time delay associated with the application of the first flow of foam, and wherein the second spray schedule includes at least one of a magnitude, a velocity, a pressure of, a temperature, a spray duration, or a time delay associated with the application of the second flow of foam. 
     
     
         9 . The modular foam cart of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine comprise a model number of the gas turbine engine, a cleaning history of the gas turbine engine, and a flight history of the gas turbine engine, including a flight environment, contaminant exposure, flight altitude, and engine speeds. 
     
     
         10 . A method for cleaning a gas turbine engine using a modular foam cart, the modular foam cart comprising a foam generating device that generates a flow of foamed wash fluid and a distribution manifold for selectively directing the flow of wash fluid to a plurality of wash lines fluidly coupled to the gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
 determining one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine;   determining a set of wash cycle parameters based at least in part on the one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine; and   selectively providing the flow of foamed wash fluid to the distribution manifold and through the plurality of wash lines according to the determined set of wash cycle parameters.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the gas turbine engine comprises a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section, the gas turbine engine defining a plurality of borescope holes located within one or more of the compressor section, the combustor section, and the turbine section, the gas turbine engine further comprising one or more inlet nozzles positioned proximate an engine inlet, the method comprising:
 positioning the plurality of wash lines into or through the plurality of borescope holes or the inlet nozzles defined by the turbine engine, each of the plurality of wash lines being fluidly connected to a respective valve of the distribution manifold;   selectively providing the flow of foamed wash fluid to the distribution manifold and through one of the plurality of wash lines into one of the compressor section, the combustor section, the turbine section, or the engine inlet.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the set of wash cycle parameters comprises a foam quality characteristic of the flow of foamed wash fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 manipulating one or more foam quality characteristics by adjusting at least one of a temperature or a flow rate of either the flow of wash fluid or a flow of air into the foam generating device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the gas turbine engine comprises a foam quality sensor positioned proximate to the distribution manifold, the method further comprising:
 receiving information indicative of a foam quality of the flow of foamed wash fluid through at least one of the plurality of wash lines using the foam quality sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the set of wash cycle parameters includes at least one of a magnitude, a velocity, a pressure, a temperature, a spray duration, or a time delay associated with the application of the flow of foamed wash fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine comprise a model number of the gas turbine engine, a cleaning history of the gas turbine engine, and a flight history of the gas turbine engine, including a flight environment, contaminant exposure, flight altitude, and engine speeds. 
     
     
         17 . A wash system for washing a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine comprising a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section, the turbine engine defining a plurality of borescope holes located within one or more of the compressor section, the combustor section, and the turbine section, the gas turbine engine further comprising one or more inlet nozzles positioned proximate an engine inlet, the wash system comprising:
 a detergent reservoir for storing wash fluid;   a distribution manifold providing selective fluid communication between the detergent reservoir and a plurality of wash lines fluidly coupled to the plurality of borescope holes and the inlet nozzles;   a pump configured for urging a flow of wash fluid from the detergent reservoir through the distribution manifold and at least one of the plurality of wash lines; and   a controller in operative communication with the distribution manifold, the controller being configured for:
 determining one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine; 
 determining a set of wash cycle parameters based at least in part on the one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine; and 
 selectively providing the flow of wash fluid to the distribution manifold and through the plurality of wash lines according to the determined set of wash cycle parameters. 
   
     
     
         18 . The wash system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a foam generating device in fluid communication with the pump, the foam generating device being configured for aerating the flow of wash fluid to generate a flow of foamed wash fluid,   wherein the set of wash cycle parameters includes one or more foam quality characteristics of the flow of foamed wash fluid.   
     
     
         19 . The wash system of  claim 18 , wherein the set of wash cycle parameters includes at least one of a magnitude, a velocity, a pressure, a temperature, a spray duration, or a time delay associated with the application of the flow of foamed wash fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The wash system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more operating characteristics of the gas turbine engine comprise a model number of the gas turbine engine, a cleaning history of the gas turbine engine, and a flight history of the gas turbine engine, including a flight environment, contaminant exposure, flight altitude, and engine speeds.