Turbine Side:

Soot accumulation and deposits on the turbine nozzle ring and blades alter their aerodynamic profile, reducing energy conversion efficiency. This leads to increased exhaust back pressure, further reducing turbocharger performance and impacting engine power output.

Dirty Suction Air Filter:

Restricts airflow, leading to reduced mass of air drawn. Resulting in a drop in scavenge pressure, improper combustion, and reduced engine power.

Compressor Side Fouling:

Deposits on the compressor side, often caused by faulty sealing or an oily atmosphere, reduce its efficiency. The resultant decrease in delivered air mass again leads to poor combustion.

Lubrication System Contamination:

Contaminated lubricating oil leads to inadequate lubrication of the turbocharger bearings. This increases the risk of bearing failure.

Fouling of Air Cooler:

Fouling of the air side of the Air cooler will lead to reduced mass flow of air, high scavenge temperature leading to incomplete combustion & reduced engine efficiency.

Fouling of Air Cooler (Water Side):

Fouling of the water side of the Air cooler will lead to increased heat flow of air. Thus, engine efficiency & temperature will be adversely affected.

Excessive Soot and Exhaust Uptake Fouling:

Excessive soot and deposits in the exhaust uptake and EGE increase back pressure on the turbocharger, significantly reducing its efficiency

(b) In-Service Cleaning Procedure:

Turbine Side Cleaning

Water Washing:

• Reduce engine load to approximately 40% or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Ensure the exhaust inlet temperature is below 420°C.
• Spray slightly warm fresh water into the turbine side through a regulating valve.
• Keep the drain open during washing to allow water and deposits to exit.
• After stopping the water feed, observe the drain until no water comes out.
• Run the engine at low RPM for 15 minutes to dry the turbine. Close the drain before resuming normal operation.

Manufacturer Guidelines (ABB Turbochargers):

• Short Water Injection: Lasts 30 seconds for all turbochargers.
• Long Water Injection: Lasts 10 minutes for specially designed casings.

Dry Washing:

• Use abrasive materials like grit or nut shells propelled by compressed air.
• Wear PPE, including gloves and a face shield.
• Open the container cover and fill it with grit below the air connection.
• Clean the line by slowly opening valve B to blow out deposits. Close valve B afterward.
• Open valve A (air connection) and then valve B to inject grit into the turbine.
• After all grit is injected (indicated by a sound change), close valves A and B.

Compressor Side Cleaning

Fresh Water Cleaning:

• The blower side is cleaned with fresh water.
• Run the engine at full load RPM to achieve effective cleaning.
• A container is fitted with an inlet line coming from the blower discharge side, and the outlet line from the container goes for washing the blower side.
• Fill the container with water and open the inlet and outlet valves.
• Compressed air carries the water under pressure, cleaning the blower side efficiently.