Off-line washing effectiveness on a multistage axial compressor

The interaction between gas turbines and airborne particles determines detrimental effects on the performance, efficiency, reliability of power unit. When it is possible, reduced by use inlet separators filtration systems. In an aero engine, these barriers are difficult to implement, only bigger (usually greater than 10 μm) separated from airflow. Small units, especially those equips helicopters, usually affected fouling issues, when aircraft employed in harsh environments such as firefighting rescue activities. To recover this contamination, unit washed after mission ground operations restore performance removing deposits. This operation occurs during a sub-idle operation, washing process has be effective engine operates off-design condition. paper, evaluation carried out. compressor multistage axial that Allison 250-C18 engine. was performed water, sensitivity analysis out discover capability water droplets remove contaminants. experimental involves contamination micro-sized soot droplets. These results compared numerical simulations small operating conditions. regime imposes specific proper setup strategy: flow separations involve wider regions unit, removal strongly related droplet path through stages. show how diameter importance rate for reducing deposits over