Why Do Airplane Engines Need To Be Washed And Doesn't Flying Through Rain Do The Job? #learning

Why Do Airplane Engines Need To Be Washed And Doesn't Flying Through Rain Do The Job?
As planes fly, they encounter all sorts of stuff up there—dust, bugs, and even birds that didn't quite get the memo about air traffic rules. All these things leave their mark on the engine's fan and compressor airfoils, creating a layer of dirt and grime over time. And guess what? This buildup isn't just an aesthetic issue.
That layer of dirt might seem harmless, but it actually affects the engine's performance. How, you ask? Well, think of it like a clogged pipe—when air can't flow smoothly, the engine has to work harder, which means it guzzles more fuel. And who wants that? Not the airlines, for sure.
Now, let's talk numbers. By washing airplane engines annually, airlines can cut down on fuel consumption by 0.5% to 1%. Doesn't sound like much? Think again! This could save them up to a whopping $72,000 per year. That's some serious dough that could be better spent elsewhere!
But it's not just about saving money—engine washes also prevent corrosion. You see, when dirt sticks around, it can speed up the rusting process. And nobody wants a rusty engine, right? Moreover, dirt causes temperatures to rise inside the engine, leading to more frequent maintenance. Not fun for anyone involved!
So, how does this washing magic happen? Rain doesn't cut it because jet engines are designed to keep water out of the core. But don’t worry! There's a special process involving high-pressure nozzles that shoot water droplets just the right size into the engine's gas path, getting rid of all that gunk.
And here's a cool fact: During the wash, the engine is "dry motored," meaning it's started without fuel flow or ignition. That means the cleaners who do the washing don't need to be worried about getting sucked into the engine.

#learning #airplane #engine #wash #rain





Note: "The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."


ADDITIONAL READINGS:
Why clean an engine?
Aircraft engines require special attention than other parts of the plane.

For one, they are arguably the most complicated part of the aircraft that powers the flight. Without the engines, the aircraft is just a metal paperweight with comfortable lie-flat seats. Thus any maintenance or cleaning performed on the engine must be done so with the utmost care.

Secondly, engines suffer in the elements 24/7, unlike the wheels or other components that move in and out of the fuselage. They must perform in the baking desert heat, snowy blizzards, tropical humidity, and foggy condensed mornings. Thus they not only have to perform flawlessly for the aircraft operation but also are arguably exposed to the most elements.

Lastly, the engine is susceptible to objects such as dust, ice, sand, ash, and even birds. The engine does operate in high temperatures that usually vapourises these elements, but residue leftover can stick around (such as grease or crystals). Engine objects may accumulate and lead to failure.

How to wash the aircraft engine
We know how important it is to keep an aircraft engine clean, but how is this performed? First, engineers open the engine to allow water to escape and activated to a slow RPM cycle. Freshwater is pumped into the turbine and cycled through like a washing machine. Only once the water coming out of the back of the machine is clear is the cleaning considered done.

Engineers will then look over the engine output on monitoring systems, and there should an a noticeable improvement to the engine's power.

Practically, the most common way is when an engine is taken off the plane (and replaced so the fuselage can keep flying) and overhauled. Once the engineers have examined the powerplant for all essential components and given the green ticket, a team member will give it a deep clean.

Despite water being sensitive to electrical components, one of the best ways to clean the engine is by using flowing water with detergent. For stubborn particle build-ups, some aerospace firms used to suggest breaking out natural exfoliant products - such as nutshells.

"Field cleaning the engine compressor stator vanes and rotor blades by use of water or chemical solution liquid cleaning, or, for tough jobs, abrasive cleaning (using ground walnut hulls or apricot pits, for example" - Lockheed Martin engine washing guide.

Today, however, engine engineers use special solvents to break down the particles without affecting any engine components.

Sometimes the engine can't be removed (because the plane is at a remote airport) but still needs to be cleaned. In this case, the engineers bring cleaning equipment out to the plane and do it on site.

What do you think of this? Would you like to wash a plane engine? Let us know in the comments.