System and devices for collecting and treating waste water from engine washing

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of washing engines, particularly using washing liquids such as water and detergent or water only, and more specifically to systems, apparatus and a mobile cart comprising such a system for collecting and treating the waste water from engine washing operations. The system comprises a collecting device for collecting waste liquid during a washing operation of the engine and a treatment device for treating waste liquid collected during said washing operation. According to an embodiment, the system is arranged on a mobile cart ( 50 ) for serving an engine ( 1 ) during a washing operation of the engine ( 1 ) comprising a chassis provided with wheels. The mobile cart also includes adjusting means ( 73 ) for adjusting the vertical position of the liquid separating means ( 31 ) and/or adjusting means for adjusting the vertical position of the liquid collecting means ( 302, 36 ) relative the engine ( 1 ).

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of washing any one of a plurality of engine types and sizes of engines and of collecting waste liquid as it exits the engine during the engine washing operation, the method comprising:
 injecting a washing liquid into an engine inlet while simultaneously cranking said engine in order to create an air stream through the engine, thereby entraining the washing liquid into the air stream as said washing liquid passes through said engine, wherein the air stream will have a velocity that ranges anywhere between low to high velocities according to the engine type and size of the engine; and   positioning a collector relative to an engine outlet for receiving the entrained washing liquid as it exits the engine, said collector accommodating multiple engine types and sizes of engines, and all velocities of air streams exiting the engine, including low velocities, high velocities and all velocities between low and high velocities.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the collector comprises a liquid separator and a liquid collector, the method further comprising:
 positioning the liquid separator for receiving the entrained washing liquid as it exits the engine and for separating the washing liquid from the air stream; and   positioning the liquid collector to collect the separated washing liquid from the liquid separator and to collect washing liquid exiting any other portion of the engine.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising:
 treating the collected washing liquid via a multi-filtering process for removing one or more selected from the group comprising particles, fuel solid residues, coked hydrocarbons, compressor fouling material, combustion solids, compressor and turbine coating material, heavy metals, oils, fats, pollen, insect residues, residues from bird strikes, ions and metal ions from said collected washing liquid.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising reusing the treated washing liquid during the washing operation. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising at least one of:
 mobilizing the liquid separator, the liquid collector, and the liquid storage component to an engine washing location via a mobile cart, said mobile cart comprising a wheeled chassis and an adjusting device; and   adjusting at least one of said liquid separator, liquid collector, and liquid storage component relative to the engine prior to commencing a washing operation via said adjusting device.   
     
     
         36 . A method of collecting wash liquid that is injected into an inlet of an engine as it exits the engine during an engine washing operation, the method comprising:
 positioning a liquid separator relative to an engine outlet for receiving washing liquid as it exits the engine, and for separating the washing liquid from an air stream;   positioning a liquid collector relative to the liquid separator to collect the separated washing liquid from the liquid separator and to collect washing liquid exiting any other portion of the engine; and   mobilizing at least one of the liquid separator or the liquid collector to facilitate positioning.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising treating the collected washing liquid for removing particles and ions from said collected washing liquid. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising reusing the treated washing liquid during the washing operation. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising testing the collected washing liquid prior to the reuse. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 mobilizing the liquid separator and the liquid collector to an engine washing location via a mobile cart, said mobile cart comprising a wheeled chassis and an adjusting device; and   adjusting at least one of said liquid separator or liquid collector relative to the engine prior to commencing a washing operation via said adjusting device.   
     
     
         41 . A collecting device for collecting waste liquid from washing of an engine while the engine is being cranked comprising:
 a liquid separator positioned relative to an outlet of said engine, said liquid separator being configured to receive washing liquid entrained in an air stream exiting said engine outlet and to separate said washing liquid from said air stream; and   a liquid collector positioned relative to the liquid separator to collect separated liquid from said liquid separator and liquid exiting the engine resulting from the washing operation.   
     
     
         42 . The collecting device according to  claim 41 , wherein said liquid collector comprises:
 a funnel element arranged to collect separated liquid from said liquid separator; and   a guide element arranged to be located below said engine during said washing operation in order to collect and guide liquid exiting from said engine to said funnel element.   
     
     
         43 . The collecting device according to  claim 41 , further comprising an adjusting device for adjusting a position of at least one of said liquid separator and said liquid collector relative to said engine in order to accommodate multiple engine types and sizes of engines. 
     
     
         44 . The collecting device according to  claim 41 , further comprising a mobile cart with a wheeled chassis for serving an engine during a washing operation of said engine, with at least one said liquid separator and said liquid collector being arranged on said chassis.