ALSTOM Gas Turbines Ltd

SB/TU/91-1 SERVICE BULLETIN 1st MAY 1991

RECOMMENDED
Subject: COMPRESSOR CLEANING AGENTS Product type: ALL INDUSTRIAL GAS
FOR LIQUID WASHING TURBINES

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SB/TU/87-2

WHICH SHOULD NOW BE DISCARDED

This bulletin is issued to inform users of the current list of approved cleaning agents and to draw
attention to health and safety recommendations for handling these cleaners.

WATER BASED CLEANERS

RUSTON GAS TURBINES has gained field experience on the following water based cleaners which are
approved for use on all RUSTON industrial turbines for either hot or cold crank washing provided the
machines are fitted with the appropriate equipment.

CLEANER SUPPLIER
ZOK 27 AIRWORTHY LIMITED
R-MC G21 IVAR RIVENAES LIMITED OR
R-MC G2 1 C/6 SERMATECH INTERNATIONAL INC.

The effectiveness of cleaning agents can only be established by extended use at various sites.
The following cleaners which we have analysed may also be suitable for use in our gas turbines.
However, to date RGT does NOT have field experience on these cleaners.

CLEANER SUPPLIER
CASTROLSOLVEXICD177 BURMAH-CASTROL (UK) LTD
ARDROX 6345 ARDROX PYRENE LTD

© ALSTOM Gas Turbines Ltd. 1998

CONFIDENTIAL
This bulletin is the exclusive property of ALSTOM Gas Turbines Limited (ALSTOM) and is disclosed in confidence to ALSTOM’s customers solely for their use in connection with the operation
and maintenance of their ALSTOM turbines. Its contents shall not be used for other purposes or copied or disclosed without written authorisation of ALSTOM. The information set out in this
bulletin is offered by ALSTOM as part of its ongoing product support services for you as one of its customers. However, the final decision for operating your plant in a safe and responsible
manner rests entirely with you. This involves many factors outside our knowledge and control, and therefore ALSTOM is unable to accept (and hereby disclaims) any liability (whether based
on breach of contract, warranty or statutory duty, negligence or otherwise) for damage or loss of any kind which may be incurred as a result of applying this information.

Day and night service is available 365 days of the year.

ALSTOM Gas Turbines Ltd ALSTOM Gas Turbines Ltd

Service Dept MW3A Registered Office:
P.O. Box 1 Lincoln LN2 5DJ England P.O. Box 1
Tel: +44 (0) 1522 584000 Thorngate House Lincoln LN2 5DJ England
Fax: +44 (0) 1522 586792 Tel: +44 (0) 1522 584000
Telex: 56231 Fax: +44 (0) 1522 584900 Telex: 56231 http://www.agt-
ind.energy.alstom.com Registered in England No. 476835
SOLVENT BASED CLEANERS
The following solvent based cleaner is approved for use for either hot or cold crank washing but when
used for hot washing THE FOLLOWING MUST BE OBSERVED.
1. The injection rate must be limited to a maximum of 1.5 galls/minute (6.8 litres/minute).
2. On TB machines a solenoid valve must be fitted in the wash fluid supply line. This is for safety
reasons in case of an emergency shut down whilst washing on load.

CLEANER SUPPLIER
ROCHEM FYREWASH ROCHEM R-O DESALINATION LTD

WARNING: THIS CLEANER IS FLAMMABLE. THE SUPPLIERS HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.

INJECTION RATE
The nominal injection rate of cleaning mixture for all applications is
1-1.5 galls/minute (4.5-6.8 litres/minute) maximum.

INJECTION QUANTITY
The quantity of cleaning mixture injected for each normal wash should be 6 gallons (27 litres).

DILUTION RATE
The dilution rate by volume for each listed cleaner is as follows:

CLEANER DILUTION RATE

ZOK 27 1 PART CLEANER TO 4 PARTS WATER
R-MC G21 NO DILUTION REQUIRED
R-MC G21 C/6 1 PART CLEANER TO 6 PARTS WATER
ROCHEM FYREWASH 1 PART CLEANER TO 4 PARTS WATER
CASTROL SOLVEX ICD 177 1 PART CLEANER TO 4 PARTS WATER

NOTES

1) The above dilution rates are only applicable at ambient temperatures above 5°C. For ambient
temperatures below 5°C reference should be made to the chart on page 4.

2) Only DEMINERALISED WATER which meets the following conditions should be used for dilution
and rinsing:

a) Liquid is to be clear, colourless and free from solids in suspension.

b) Total dissolved solids not to exceed 10ppm.

c) Silicon content (present as SiO2) is not to exceed 3ppm.

d) PH value is to lie within the range 5.0 to 7.5.

e) Electrical conductivity at 20°C ±5°C is not to exceed 1100 µs/m

(microsiemens/metre) or 11 micromho/cm.
HEALTH AND SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
Many cleaning agents contain chemicals which can cause injury through prolonged or repeated
physical contact or inhalation. Protective clothing and adequate ventilation should be provided during
handling in accordance with suppliers recommendations.

YOUR ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE LISTED SUPPLIERS CURRENT HEALTH AND SAFETY DATA
SHEETS IN RESPECT OF THEIR CLEANING AGENTS, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THIS
BULLETIN.

Users should consult suppliers for any further information and updating which may be required.

ANTI-FREEZE AGENTS
When liquid washing during cold weather it is necessary to add anti-freeze to the demineralised water
to prevent the formation of ice in the compressor.
The recommended anti-freeze is METHANOL (METHYL ALCOHOL) which should conform to BS506
PART 1: 1966.

WARNING: METHANOL IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND TOXIC

THE VAPOUR GIVEN OFF BY METHANOL IS TOXIC. HANDLING AND STORAGE

MUST ONLY TAKE PLACE UNDER CONDITIONS OF GOOD VENTILATION. THE
FLUID CAN ALSO BE TOXIC THROUGH SKIN ABSORPTION. RUBBER GLOVES AND
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING MUST BE WORN WHEN HANDLING METHANOL.

ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD ETHYLENE GLYCOL OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF ANTI-

FREEZE ADDITIVE BE USED.

The recommended quantity of anti-freeze which must be added for various temperature conditions is
shown in the chart on page 4.
ANTI-FREEZE QUANTITIES
Each 6 gallons (27 litres) charge of washing fluid should be mixed in the following proportions of
Cleaner/Water/Anti-freeze:

AMBIENT CLEANING DE-MINERAL- METHANOL

TEMPERATURE FLUID ISED WATER
CLEANER °C Galls/Litres Galls/Litres Galls/Litres

ARDROX above 5°C 1.2/5.5 4.8/22.0 NIL

6345 +5 to -5 1.2/5.5 3.6/16.5 1.2/ 5.5
ZOK 27 -5 to -20 1.2/5.5 3.0/13.5 1.8/ 8.0
SOLVEX -20 to -30 1.2/5.5 2.4/10.5 2.4/10.5
ICD 177 -30 to -40 1.2/5.5 1.8/ 8.0 3.0/13.5

R-MC G21 above 5°C 0.9/4.0 5.1/23.0 NIL

C/6 +5 to -5 0.9/4.0 3.9/17.5 1.2/ 5.5
-5 to -20 0.9/4.0 3.3/15.0 1.8/ 8.0
-20 to -30 0.9/4.0 2.7/12.5 2.4/10.5
-30 to -40 0.9/4.0 2.1/ 9.5 3.0/13.5

R-MC G21 above 5°C 6.0/27.0 NIL NIL

+ 5 to -5 4.8/22.0 _ 1.2/ 5.5
-5 to -20 4.2/19.0 _ 1.8/ 8.0
-20 to -30 3.6/16.5 _ 2.4/10.5
-30 to -40 3.0/13.5 3.0/13.5