Top five signs your gas turbine needs a deep clean

Is it time for a turbine spring clean?

productivity, reliability, and lifespan are all directly linked to compressor cleanliness, so ignoring signs that your turbine is suffering from fouling can become an extremely costly oversight.

But what are the signs of gas turbine fouling, and how can you address them?

Signs of gas turbine fouling

Unfortunately, we can’t easily look inside gas turbines to check for without shutting them down and physically opening them up. This takes a long time and is costly both in terms of man-hours and lost turbine productivity.

The good news is that there are other signs that indicate your turbine is suffering and in need of a clean, warning you to take action:

• Reduced power output
• Increased fuel consumption
• High exhaust gas temperature (EGT)
• Unusual vibrations or noise
• Extended start-up times

As foulants accumulate on the inner surfaces of the gas turbine compressor, airflow is interrupted. This results in an inefficient system: fuel doesn’t combust properly, so more is needed to achieve the same power output. It also takes longer to reach the optimum temperature and pressure conditions for start-up.

Imbalances within the compressor can also cause mechanical strain, the signs of which are vibrations, unusual noises, and excess heat.

Ignoring the signs

It may be tempting to ignore the signs above, but it’s far better to take action before the issues escalate. Ignoring these signs can lead to:

• Higher operational costs
• Premature wear and tear on components
• Unplanned shutdowns

Gas turbine cleaning

While fouling can cause huge problems, fortunately, gas turbine cleaning is a simple solution.

Online turbine cleaning

Regular can occur while your turbine runs at normal load without affecting performance. We recommend daily cleaning: injecting atomized, diluted, specialized detergent into the gas turbine compressor (ideally through dedicated ). This cleaning method prevents the excessive buildup of foulants and maintains turbine performance.

Offline turbine cleaning

Occasional offline cleaning, when the turbine is scheduled to be shut down and a thorough inspection and clean can be carried out, ensures any remaining/stubborn residue is completely removed.

If your turbine is showing any of the warning signs listed above, it is worthwhile to carry out an offline ‘deep clean’ and then implement a regular cleaning schedule - incorporating online and offline gas turbine compressor washing.

Gas turbine cleaning chemicals

It’s important to use the correct products to ensure

a) effective cleaning and

b) unsuitable chemicals do not damage delicate components/surfaces.

is a range of gas turbine cleaning chemicals specifically designed for this niche task.

Within the range are cleaning chemicals suited to different environments, e.g., areas with high levels of air pollution, offshore sites, and environmentally sensitive locations. Backed by over , our chemists have developed products that target a range of common foulants to effectively dislodge, remove, and flush them away.

FYREWASH® chemicals can be used for both online and offline cleans and are extremely cost-effective in terms of regained productivity, reduced fuel costs, and improved up-time.

Get in touch

If your turbine shows signs of fouling and you are ready to take action, or you want to stay one step ahead of foulants, we’re here to help. Our experienced team are here to talk about your specific site and requirements, helping you decide the best course of action.

Our range of gas turbine compressor cleaners and associated hardware provide everything you need to keep your turbine clean and efficient. Please .