Air blowing is of particular interest in the cleaning of new power plants: this method allows to clean steam adduction systems to turbine even without having steam.
The air needed to carry out the operation is obtained by sets of compressors and busters from 0 to 40 bar. In this way the air is stored and progressively compressed into the system till reaching the pressure determined by the engineering.
As the planned pressure is achieved, the quick opening valve is open and the air in the system is released through the provisional lines and the silencer.
The lines are fluxed by the air flow at high velocity for a short amount of time. The mechanical shock generated in the system by air blowing results in the removal of scales from the piping internal surfaces.
This type of operation requires rated piping, an accurate design of the temporary system and the use of quick opening valves and silencers. The duration of the activity is determined by the level of dirtiness of the system.
This method is relatively costly as it requires rented compressors and boosters and fuel to operate them.
The great advantage is the elimination of the cleaning of steam systems from the critical path of plants start-up. Therefore, the starting of production activities is only related to the end of the gas turbine commissioning.
COMPRESSED AIR SERVICES
Compressed air is used in a wide range of applications in industrial plants. They include air blowing for the cleaning, drying of pipes and systems after hydraulic tests, pressure tests and leakage detection. This method is effective, economical and environmentally friendly.
It is specially utilized for long piping systems such as Fuel Oil supply lines.