Compressor Wash and Atomizing Air Compressor

[SloFlo]

Does anybody have experience doing compressor washes on units which have a shaft driven atomizing air compressor.
I am concerned that water will get sucked into the compressor and damage it.

One solution that I am considering is placing a valve in the 6" line to the compressor. However, this might damage the compressor also because it will have no suction yet it will still be rotating.

Does anybody have any experience with this or suggestions on how to do this properly?

Thank you

 

[abeltio]

FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WATER WASH BY THE LETTER.

During water wash the shaft driven atomizing air compressor turns at about 20% or less of the rated speed.
The booster atomizing air compressor must be disabled and valved out.

saludos.
a.

 

[SloFlo]

We have removed our booster atomizing air compressor. My question is, will we get water into our main atomizing air compressor even though we are spinning at 20% of rated speed. If so, what have other plants done to address this.

Thanks for your comments

 

[abeltio]

In all the water washes ever did with dual fuel units, never got water into the main atomizing air compressor.


saludos.
a.

 

[SloFlo]

How do you know? Did you open a flanged connection to check if there was any water in the suction pipe to the atomizing air compressor?

 

[abeltio]

Water ingestion would destroy the AAC it turns at 70,000 rpm

saludos.
a.

 

[SloFlo]

Thanks Abeltio, do you have any literature or know on water washing. I am having a difficult time getting anything from our OEM.
Thankss

 

[abeltio]

Who is the OEM?

saludos.
a.

 

[SloFlo]

The machines that we are washing are:
GE Frame 7B/C
Westinghouse 501AA

 

[abeltio]

For the GE machines you can ask the OEM for the Water Wash GEK that applies to your S/N. The GEK is very good and has been revised continuously to keep it up to date with developments.
I've always used the GEK to WW units and never had a problem.

I do not have experience with Westinghouse.

saludos.
a.