Power Generation Equipment

Safely Clean Your Electric Motors and Reduce Unplanned Outages

  • Improve Readings
  • Reduce Unplanned Outages
  • Clean In-Place & Online
  • Increase Equipment Lifespan

A Sustainable Clean That Reduces Downtime

In the diverse landscape of power generation, where efficiency, reliability, and safety are paramount, the need for advanced cleaning solutions is more critical than ever. Power generation facilities across sectors such as Natural Gas, Hydroelectric, Nuclear, Steam Generation, and Substations face unique challenges in maintaining clean and operational equipment. Dry ice blasting emerges as a versatile and effective cleaning method, tailored to address the specific requirements of each sector, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of critical assets.

Need an ongoing maintenance plan? Learn more about creating a custom cleaning program you can count on.

Elevating Power Generation Efficiency Across Various Sectors with Dry Ice Cleaning

Across diverse sectors of the power generation industry, the demand for efficient and sustainable cleaning solutions continues to grow. Dry ice blasting emerges as a versatile and cost-effective method for addressing the unique cleaning challenges faced by Natural Gas, Hydroelectric, Nuclear, Steam Generation, and Substations sectors

Natural Gas

In the Natural Gas sector, gas turbines and compressors play a pivotal role in power generation. However, these components are susceptible to contamination from carbon deposits, oil residue, and particulate matter, leading to decreased efficiency and increased maintenance costs. Dry ice blasting offers a non-abrasive and environmentally friendly solution for removing contaminants from turbine blades, combustion chambers, and compressor surfaces, restoring optimal airflow and combustion efficiency.

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric power plants rely on turbines and generators to harness the kinetic energy of flowing water and convert it into electricity. Over time, these components can accumulate sediment, algae, and other debris, hindering turbine efficiency and causing cavitation damage. Dry ice blasting provides a safe and efficient method for cleaning turbine runners, draft tubes, and penstocks, restoring hydraulic efficiency and extending equipment lifespan without the need for disassembly or shutdown.

Nuclear

In nuclear power plants, cleanliness is crucial to ensuring safe and reliable operation. Critical components such as steam generators, condensers, and reactor vessels must be free from corrosion, scale, and radioactive contamination. Dry ice cleaning offers a non-destructive and chemical-free cleaning solution for removing radioactive contaminants and surface oxidation from nuclear equipment, minimizing downtime, and ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards.

Steam

Steam generation facilities, including coal-fired and biomass power plants, rely on boilers and heat exchangers to produce high-pressure steam for electricity generation. However, these components are susceptible to fouling from ash, soot, and scale deposits, reducing heat transfer efficiency and increasing fuel consumption. Dry ice blasting effectively removes stubborn deposits from boiler tubes, economizers, and air preheaters, restoring thermal performance and reducing maintenance costs.

Substations

Substations serve as vital nodes in the power distribution network, where transformers, switchgear, and insulators play critical roles in ensuring grid reliability. However, these components are prone to contamination from dust, moisture, and corrosive substances, leading to insulation breakdown and equipment failure. Dry ice blasting offers a non-conductive and residue-free cleaning solution for removing contaminants from substation equipment, enhancing electrical performance, and reducing the risk of outages.

Various Use Cases For Cleaning Power Equipment In Place and Online

Gas & Steam Turbines
  • Turbine blades
  • Compressor blades
  • Combustion chambers
  • Exhaust systems
  • Steam chests
  • Condenser tubes
  • Deaerator trays
Generators
  • Stator windings
  • Rotor windings
  • Cooling fins
  • Brush gear assemblies
Boilers
  • Boiler tubes
  • Furnace walls
  • Superheater tubes
  • Economizer surfaces
Heat Exchangers
  • Tube bundles
  • Shell sides
  • Plate surfaces
  • Finned tubes
Condensers
Condenser tubes Tube sheets Water boxes Cooling water channels
Pumps and Valves
  • Pump impellers
  • Valve bodies
  • Valve internals
  • Pump casings
Transformers
  • Transformer windings
  • Core laminations
  • Cooling radiators
  • Insulating bushings
Switchgear and Circuit Breakers
  • Contacts
  • Insulators
  • Busbars
  • Arc chambers
Cooling Towers
  • Tower fill
  • Distribution basins
  • Spray nozzles
  • Fan blades
Coal Handling Equipment
  • Conveyor belts
  • Chutes
  • Pulverizers
  • Crushers
Ash Handling Systems
  • Hoppers
  • Ash conveyors
  • Dust collectors
  • Ash silos
Control Systems
  • PLC cabinets
  • Control panels
  • Instrumentation
  • Junction boxes
Auxiliary Equipment
  • Heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs)
  • Air preheaters
  • Electrostatic precipitators
  • Deaerators
Cooling Fans and Blowers
  • Fan blades
  • Blower housings
  • Cooling fan ducts
  • Air intake screens
Condensers
Condenser tubes Tube sheets Water boxes Cooling water channels

See Dry Ice Blasting In Action

Why Choose Dry Ice Works for Cleaning Power Generation Equipment?

Here’s why businesses across the power generation industry are turning to dry ice blasting:

Non-Conductive

Dry ice blasting is safe for use on electrical components and equipment, ideal for cleaning electrical panels, control panels, and other sensitive equipment.

Water-Free

Dry ice blasting eliminates the need for water in the cleaning process, reducing the risk of moisture-related damage to sensitive equipment and minimizing cleanup time and costs.

Clean Online

Dry ice cleaning eliminates the need for disassembly of equipment, even while it’s online, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

Non-abrasive

Dry ice blasting effectively removes residues and contaminants without causing damage to delicate surfaces, preserving the integrity of presses, ink trays, and other equipment.

Cost-Effective

Our streamlined process minimizes your labor expenses and gives a more thorough cleaning at a fraction of the cost of other cleaning methods.

Environmentally Friendly

No harmful chemicals or secondary waste are produced during the process.

F.A.Q.

These are just a few of the commonly asked questions about dry ice blasting in the power generation industry. If you have any specific questions or would like to learn more about how dry ice blasting can benefit your business, please contact us.

Can dry ice blasting help improve the efficiency and reliability of power generation equipment?

Yes, by removing surface contaminants and deposits, dry ice blasting can improve the efficiency, performance, and reliability of power generation equipment, resulting in reduced maintenance costs and extended equipment lifespan. By effectively removing surface contaminants, dry ice blasting can increase polarization indices, improving insulation resistance and ensuring optimal electrical performance. Additionally, this cleaning method can improve megohm readings by reducing surface conductivity and enhancing electrical insulation properties. Moreover, by eliminating insulating surface layers and improving heat transfer efficiency, dry ice blasting can enhance thermal dissipation, reducing the risk of overheating and improving overall equipment reliability.

What types of power generation equipment can be cleaned using dry ice blasting?

Dry ice blasting can effectively clean various power generation equipment, including turbines, generators, transformers, condensers, boilers, heat exchangers, substations, and more.

How does dry ice blasting benefit power generation facilities?

Dry ice blasting offers several benefits for power generation facilities, including efficient and thorough cleaning of equipment, reduced downtime, improved equipment performance, increased safety, improved readings, reduced unplanned outages, and environmental sustainability.

Does dry ice blasting leave behind any residue?

No, dry ice blasting leaves behind no secondary waste or residue, as the solid CO2 pellets sublimate upon impact, converting directly from a solid to a gas.

How does dry ice blasting compare to traditional cleaning methods?

Dry ice blasting offers several advantages over traditional cleaning methods such as chemical cleaning or abrasive blasting, including faster cleaning times, reduced labor requirements, minimal equipment disassembly, and environmentally friendly operation. View Comparison Chart

Can dry ice blasting be performed on live electrical equipment?

Dry ice blasting can be safely performed on live electrical equipment, provided proper safety protocols and precautions are followed to mitigate the risk of electrical shock or damage.

Is dry ice blasting suitable for removing contaminants such as grease, oil, and carbon deposits?

Yes, dry ice blasting is highly effective at removing a wide range of contaminants, including grease, oil, carbon deposits, and other residues commonly found in power generation equipment.

What are the environmental benefits of using dry ice blasting in power generation facilities?

Dry ice blasting is an environmentally sustainable cleaning method that eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and reduces water consumption. Additionally, it produces no secondary waste or emissions, making it an eco-friendly choice for power generation facilities. View All Benefits

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