Mobile on-wing engine washing and water reclamation system

Abstract

A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation is provided. The system has at least one spray device for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is being operated, and an effluent trough for collecting the cleaning liquid from an exit end or underneath side of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, a source of the cleaning liquid and the effluent trough are located on a mobile unit. Further, a treatment system for treating the collected cleaning liquid is also located on a mobile unit.

1 . A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation, said system comprising:
 means for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into an engine while said engine is being operated and is uncovered;   mobile means for collecting said cleaning liquid from an exit end of said engine and from underneath said engine;   said mobile collecting means comprising a cart having an open effluent trough positioned directly beneath said engine to collect cleaning liquid comprising an air/water effluent from said exit end of said engine and to collect in a hoseless manner cleaning fluid coming off an underneath portion of the engine; and   means for operating said engine,   wherein said collecting means includes a device not connected to the engine, said device including a diversion ducting system for capturing the air/water effluent flowing out of said exit end of said engine and separating droplets from air flow, which diversion ducting system includes a series of diversion plates so that water droplets impact the diversion plates and fall out of an air stream.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning liquid introducing means comprises at least one spray nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning liquid introducing means comprises at least two nozzles, with a first nozzle injecting cleaning fluid onto a compressor of the engine, and a second nozzle depositing cleaning fluid onto a fan section of the engine. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for filtering said collected liquid to remove solid particulate and oils.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 means for treating said collected liquid to remove dissolved solids.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heater for heating the cleaning liquid prior to introducing said liquid into the engine.   
     
     
         7 . A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation, said system comprising:
 means for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into an engine while said engine is being operated and is uncovered;   mobile means for collecting said cleaning liquid from an exit end of said engine and from underneath said engine;   said mobile collecting means comprising a cart having an open effluent trough positioned directly beneath said engine to collect cleaning liquid comprising an air/water effluent from the exit end of said engine and to collect in a hoseless manner cleaning fluid coming off an underneath portion of the engine; and   means for operating said engine,   wherein said collecting means includes a device not connected to the engine, said device including a centrifugal separation system, which centrifugal separation system includes a curved surface and a channel though which said air/water effluent flows to that water droplets impact the curved surface and fall out of an air stream.   
     
     
         8 . A process for on-wing washing and water reclamation, said process comprising the steps of:
 initiating operation of an engine;   positioning a mobile unit comprising a cart having an open effluent trough directly underneath said engine;   introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into said engine while said engine is operating and while said engine is uncovered; and   collecting said cleaning liquid from an exit end of said engine and conveying said collecting cleaning liquid to said effluent trough and collecting in a hoseless manner said cleaning fluid coming off from an underneath portion of said engine in said effluent trough,   wherein said step of collecting said cleaning liquid from said exit end of said engine comprises separating water droplets from an air stream containing said water droplets using a device not connected to said engine prior to said water droplets being deposited into said trough.   
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 8 , wherein said introducing step comprises introducing said cleaning liquid into said engine so that said cleaning liquid flows through at least one of a fan area and a compressor section of said engine. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 8 , wherein said introducing step comprises introducing a cleaning liquid containing water and a detergent into said engine. 
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 filtering said collected cleaning liquid to remove solid particulates and oils.   
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 8 , further comprising treating said collected cleaning liquid to remove dissolved solids. 
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 8 , wherein the step of collecting includes connecting collecting means solely to said exit end of said engine. 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 heating the cleaning liquid prior to introducing the liquid into said engine.   
     
     
         15 . A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation, said system comprising:
 means for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into an engine while said engine is being operated and is uncovered;   mobile means for collecting said cleaning liquid from an exit end of said engine and from underneath said engine;   said mobile collecting means comprising a cart having an open effluent trough positioned directly beneath said engine to collect cleaning liquid comprising an air/water effluent from said exit end of said engine and to collect in a hoseless manner cleaning fluid coming off an underneath portion of the engine; and   means for operating said engine,   wherein said collecting means further comprises a device not connected to said engine, said device including means for collecting a water/air flow of fluid and for separating said water from said flow and means for conveying said separated water to said effluent trough.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein said cleaning liquid introducing means comprises at least one spray nozzle. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein said cleaning liquid introducing means comprises at least two nozzles, with a first nozzle injecting cleaning fluid onto a compressor of the engine, and a second nozzle depositing cleaning fluid onto a fan section of the engine. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 means for filtering said collected liquid to remove solid particulate and oils.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 means for treating said collected liquid to remove dissolved solids.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a heater for heating the cleaning liquid prior to introducing said liquid into the engine.