Turbine engine cleaning systems and methods
A system and method of cleaning a turbine engine are provided. The method may include inserting, directing and evacuating a cleaning agent. Inserting may include inserting the cleaning agent through a predefined access port into a cooling cavity defined by an internal wall of an assembled turbine component, while directing may include directing the cleaning agent against the internal wall to remove a foreign material therefrom. Evacuating may include evacuating the cleaning agent from the cooling cavity.
1. A method of offline cleaning a turbine engine comprising:
inserting a cleaning agent through a predefined access port into a cooling cavity defined by an internal wall of an assembled turbine component;
directing the cleaning agent against the internal wall to remove a foreign material therefrom; and
evacuating the cleaning agent from the cooling cavity;
wherein evacuating the cleaning agent includes draining the cleaning agent to a gas flow path of the turbine engine from a cooling aperture defined by the turbine component.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the cleaning agent includes flushing the cleaning agent through a volume of the cooling cavity.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning agent includes a fluid for dissolving the foreign material.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning agent includes a solid particulate.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting a cleaning agent includes guiding the cleaning agent through a duct in fluid communication with an outer engine casing, the outer engine casing enclosing at least a portion of the assembled turbine component.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein guiding the cleaning agent further includes guiding the cleaning agent through a mated port into a turbine shroud hanger.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting a cleaning agent includes withdrawing a plug disposed within the predefined access port.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting a cleaning agent includes forcing the cleaning agent through a channel defined about portion of a combustion chamber into an assembled turbine airfoil.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning agent includes a solid particulate.