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 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation, the system comprising:
 a fluid applicator configured to introduce a cleaning liquid containing at least water into an engine while the engine is being operated;   a trough positioned adjacent to the engine; and   a collection conduit operatively positioned between an exit end of the engine and the trough to collect an air/liquid effluent mixture leaving the exit end of the engine and deliver at least a portion of the air/liquid effluent mixture to the trough, the collection conduit having an outlet that deposits collected liquid effluent into the trough, wherein the collection conduit includes a series of diversion plates positioned within the collection conduit to separate liquid droplets from the air/liquid effluent mixture.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the cleaning liquid further includes detergent. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the fluid applicator comprises at least one spray nozzle. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the fluid applicator comprises a plurality of nozzles, with a first of the plurality of nozzles injecting cleaning fluid onto a compressor of the engine, and a second of the plurality of nozzles depositing cleaning fluid onto a fan section of the engine. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the fluid applicator comprises a shepherd's hook tool having a spray nozzle. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the fluid applicator comprises means for causing the cleaning liquid to be ingested into at least one of a compressor section and a fan area of the engine. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the series of diversion plates are configured as part of an inertial separation system. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 21  and further comprising:
 filtering means for removing solid particulates and oils from liquid effluent collected by the trough. 
 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 21  and further comprising:
 a water treatment unit that includes a filter; and 
 a pump configured to convey liquid effluent from the trough to the water treatment unit. 
 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 21  and further comprising:
 treatment means for removing dissolved solids from liquid effluent collected by the trough. 
 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 21  and further comprising:
 a cleaning liquid source mounted on a cart. 
 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 21  and further comprising:
 a mobile unit comprising:
 treating means for treating the collected liquid effluent; and 
 a collection tank configured to store the collected liquid effluent after treatment. 
 
 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32  and further comprising:
 a pump for moving collected liquid effluent from the trough to the treating means. 
 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the series of diversion plates includes a plurality of generally planar plates attached at opposing portions of the collection conduit in an alternating manner. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the series of diversion plates comprises plates arranged parallel to each other. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the collection conduit is connected to the engine at or near the exit end of the engine. 
     
     
         37 . A process for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation, the process comprising the steps of:
 initiating operation of an engine;   introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is operating;   collecting an air/liquid effluent mixture from an exit end of the engine into a collection conduit;   impacting the air/liquid effluent onto a series of diversion plates to cause liquid effluent droplets to fall out of the air/liquid effluent mixture; and   collecting the liquid effluent droplets downstream from the series of diversion plates.   
     
     
         38 . A process according to  claim 37 , wherein the introducing step comprises introducing the cleaning liquid into said engine so that the cleaning liquid flows through at least one of a fan area and a compressor section of the engine. 
     
     
         39 . A process according to  claim 37 , further comprising additional processing of the collected liquid effluent, the additional processing including at least one additional step selected from the group consisting of:
 filtering the collected liquid effluent to remove solid particulates and oils, and   treating the collected liquid effluent to remove dissolved solids.