Manifold for use in cleaning combustion turbines

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a manifold for temporarily blocking the air intake of the compressor section of a combustion turbine to facilitate cleaning. A manifold suitable for providing a temporary seal about the air intake of the compressor section and through which a foamed cleaning solution can be pumped is disclosed. The manifold is conveniently provided as a flexible manifold body having an inflatable tubular member along the periphery thereof for sealing with the air intake and a plurality of hose connections through which a foamed cleaning solution can be delivered to the compressor section of the combustion turbine. Particulate films and contaminants adhering to the internal components of the compressor section of a turbine are readily removed by pumping a foamed cleaning solution such as a foamed, aqueous surfactant solution through the manifold and into the compressor section. Contaminants resulting from fuel combustion and deposited in the combustion and turbine sections are removed by pumping a second, foamed cleaning solution through those sections. The second solution typically comprises a foamed, aqueous acid solution optionally including a corrosion inhibitor. The compressor section must be isolated from such acid solutions, e.g. by pumping the foamed surfactant solution through the manifold and compressor section prior to and simultaneously with pumping the foamed acid solution through the combustion section.