Alstom Power has purchased a new high-efficiency water saving, compressor cleaning system from Gas Turbine Efficiency (GTE) of Jarfalla, Sweden. The cleaning system has been fitted to Cyclone, Tempest, Tornado, Typhoon and TB5000 gas turbines. The GTE systems have also been selected for Alstom Sweden's GTX100, GT10 and GT35 turbines used for offshore power generation.
The order is one of a number of new contracts that GTE has completed recently for customers in the offshore sector. These include a life-cycle maintenance agreement for two gas turbine generating sets delivered by Alstom Power to Kerr-McGee UK's new Leadon Field FPSO. GTE has also signed a global agreement with Dresser Rand which has resulted in deliveries to offshore customers including Phillips Petroleum and Maersk Oil & Gas. In addition, the GTE system has been selected by Statoil for use on its GE LM2500 and Rolls Royce RB211 engines.
The on-line, engine washing concept was developed by Gas Turbine Efficiency to significantly extend the intervals between occasions when it is necessary to shut down the power units for cleaning. The system uses patented injection nozzles that can be installed permanently around the air intake of the engine or supplied as a mobile unit as required. The nozzles enable a combination of detergent and demineralized water to be delivered under high pressure throughout the engine while it is running - under full power, if necessary. The design of the nozzle enables a permanent installation to be fitted within three hours.
The advantages of such systems were identified by a GTE customer which previously found it necessary to shut down oil pumping engines every 1,000 hours for cleaning and on occasions up to 16 times per year. The company had hoped to extend its engine cleaning intervals to every 2,000 hours but trials demonstrated that the effectiveness of the process enables the intervals to be lengthened to every 4,000 hours.
With each shut-down costing the company an estimated US$ 1 million, the installations achieved a very brief pay-back period. Significantly improved off-line capabilities are another important factor due to the effectiveness of the cleaning method.
For more information, contact Peter Asplund, Gas Turbine Efficiency. Tel: +46 8 760 85 50, Fax: +46 8 760 86 50, E-mail: [email protected]
