Few days back , Etihad Airways got a technical license for ‘GE’s 360 Foam Wash’ for GE90 engines. what is it all about ? How important is it to use the approved wash chemicals ?
✔Using a specially-formulated, proprietary solution, GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an alternative to the water wash method that restores engine performance leading to reductions in fuel consumption & carbon foot print.
✔Thermal efficiency, which determines the health & performance of an engine is dependent on Turbine inlet temperature, Compression ratio & Compressor/ turbine component efficiencies.
✔Over a period, accumulation of contaminants reduce the aero- efficiency of the blades, resulting in high EGT & deteriorating engine performance.
✔Contamination, especially in high salt operating environments, can also lead to corrosion of the engine components.
✔Environment specific Engine wash schedules come as saviour to renew the performance & life of engines.
✔Chemicals in a wash solution break down the organic bonds of the contaminants & get flushed by air stream & fresh water rinse.
✔Using unapproved chemicals could cause damage to the engine, such as corrosion, acrylic crazing, hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking & resultant IFSDs.
Author – Tanmay Palei
Sr. Aircraft Structure Engineer