Operation Manual / TPS44-F.. - TPS61-F.. 
 
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Turbine cleaning during operation
 
  Page 60
 
 
April 2015 HZTL2412_EN Revision E 
Turbine cleaning during operation 
5.3 
The combustion of fuels such as heavy fuel oil (HFO) in diesel engines 
produces contamination of the turbocharger's turbine components. In 
combination with a high exhaust gas temperature, poor quality fuel can 
lead to particularly hard deposits on the nozzle ring and especially on the 
gas outlet flange. 
ABB Turbo Systems recommends using fuels with a low ash, sulphur, 
sodium and vanadium content. 
Consequences of contamination: 
  Poor turbine efficiency 
  elevated exhaust gas temperatures 
  higher charging and ignition pressures as turbocharger speed rises 
  lower engine performance. 
  After stopping the engine, the rotor can become stuck in contamination 
deposits. 
Experience with turbocharger operation shows that the intervals between 
overhauls can be extended if cleaning while in operation is carried out 
periodically. Wet cleaning the turbine, as described below, should be used 
for 4-stroke applications when there are heavy deposits from, for example, 
HFO. 
Under no circumstances is periodic cleaning of the turbine during 
operation a substitute for the service work carried out when the 
turbocharger is completely dismantled and cleaned mechanically. 
Turbines which are very heavily contaminated cannot be cleaned this way 
any longer. In this case, the contaminated components must be 
mechanically cleaned by an ABB Turbocharging Service Station.  
 
 
Regular turbine cleaning during operation prevents or delays excessive 
build-up of contamination.  
The interval between periodic cleaning is very dependent on the operating 
conditions. In general, cleaning should be carried out every 50 to 200 
operating hours.  
 
 
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