Compressors fouling

Compressor fouling. On-line water eleaning ean restore part of the drop eneountered. 

Retrieval by vibration levels. Inspection of data provided by this mode can be useful in determining compressor fouling, compressor or turbine blade failure, nozzle bowing, uneven combustion, and bearing problems. 

There are at least three reasons for on-stream cleaning. The first is to restore the system s capability. If the unit is a driver, its maximum horsepower will probably drop as it becomes dirty. Cleaning will restore this limit. If the machine is a dynamic compressor, fouling may reduce its head, and therefore, the maximum gas flow rate. Cleaning will restore the capacity limit. 

Fig. A-44 Compressor fouling and corrosion from an engine in Indonesia.

Rapid compressor fouling was usually the prelude to more serious problems later, since it was usually caused by the combined problems of filter bypass. 

Plant design and layout Predominant wind directions can dramatically affect the compressor fouling type and rates. Orientation and elevation of air inlet suctions must be considered together with the location of air/water cooling towers in a combined cycle plant, the possibihty of exhaust gas recirculation into the air inlet, orientation of exhaust pipes from lube oil tank vapor extractors, as well as with other local and specific sources of contaminants such as location of highways, industries, seashores, etc. 

Other plant design parameters that affect the rate of compressor fouling are ... 

When inlet conditioning systems are used, appropriate mist eliminators should be installed downstream of evaporative coolers. Inlet chilling in hiunid areas will result in continuous saturated conditions downstream. Thus, the presence of dust contamination in the air can combine with the moisture and additionally contribute to compressor fouling. 

Plant maintenance. Quality of air filtration system maintenance, frequency of compressor blade washing (deposition leads to higher surface blade rou mess, which in turn leads to faster rate of degradation), prevention of potential bearing seal oil leaks into air inlet stream, periodic water quality control in closed-loop evaporative cooling systems, etc., are all measures that can positively influence compressor fouling and their rate of fouling. 

Aker, G. F., and Saravanamuttoo, H. I. H., 1988, Predicting Gas TVirbine Performance Deterioration Due to Compressor Fouling Using Computer Simulation Dechniques, ASME P per No. 88-GT-206. 

Tarabrin, A. E, Schurovsky, V. A., Bodrov, A. I., Stalder, J. E, 1996, An Analysis of Axial Compressor Fouling and a Cleaning Method of their Blading, ASME Paper No. 96-GT-363. 

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