RTA48T-B Operation 6510–1/A1

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

General
The exhaust gas turbochargers are equipped with a washing arrangement. It is possible to clean the compressor
and the turbine while the turbocharger is running. Periodic cleaning prevents or reduces contamination. This allows
the intervals between overhauls to be considerably prolonged. If the dirt accumulation becomes excessive (scav-
enge air pressure drops and higher exhaust gas temperatures) the turbocharger must be dismantled for cleaning,
whereby the instructions in the turbocharger manual must be followed (see group 0250–1 for admissible pressure
drop).
The cleaning of the suction air filter must take place following visual judgement. This should, however, only be car-
ried out with the engine at shut-down (see also turbocharger manufacturer’s instructions).
The following devices i.e. methods are available for periodical cleaning:
a) Compressor: – Wash-cleaning (wet cleaning)
b) Turbine: – Wash-cleaning (wet cleaning at reduced engine load)
– Dry cleaning

Wash-cleaning of the compressor (see Fig. ’A’ to ’C’)

Cleaning intervals: Every 25–75 operating hours
Guidance values: The cleaning interval depends upon environmental influences on the in-
take air and the extent of contamination of the turbocharger.

Operating condition: The cleaning must take place when the engine is at working temperature and the load is as
high as possible (full service load), i.e. at high turbocharger speed.

Cleaning procedure
A 2

Remove plug 2 from the dosing tank 1. Fill dosing tank
with clean fresh water (without additives). After filling
tighten plug 2.

Actuate the valve lever 3 towards the spring 4 and hold it 1
for about 10 seconds until all the water has been injected 4
into the compressor via piping ’RW’. 3

The success of the cleaning operation can be evaluated
by increased scavenge air pressure or by the lowering of
the exhaust gas temperature.

Remark Do not repeat the cleaning process within

less than 5 minutes.

When the compressor has been cleaned successfully in

this manner, the engine should be kept operating under
load for at least 5 minutes.

98.7577
Key to Illustrations: ’A’ Dosing tank
’B’ Arrangement of compressor cleaning
’C’ Schematic diagram of connections

1 Dosing tank RW Connection for cleaning water

2 Plug SA Connection for scavenge air
3 Valve lever
4 Spring
5 Gas outlet casing
6 Air filter

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd 1 1998

6510–1/A1 Operation RTA48T-B

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

B C
5

RW
6
RW

SA
98.7578
1
2 3
SA

Wash-cleaning of the turbine (see Fig. ’D’ to ’G’)

Cleaning intervals: Every 48–500 operating hours *)
Operating condition: Engine power output must be reduced so that the exhaust gas temperature before the tur-
bine is not higher or the scavenge air pressure is not lower than the limiting values mentioned
below.
Limiting values: – The temperature before the turbine must be below 430 C.
– The scavenge air pressure should be above 0.3 bar prior to the turbine cleaning.
We recommend to wash the turbine at a scavenge air pressure of 0.4 bar (auxiliary blower in operation).
The required wash-water volume Q (in l/min.) is shown in the following table.

Turbocharger tvT Q P after needle valve 5

Type [C] [l/min.] [bar]
VTR 454 D / E 350–400 35–45 1.5–2.0
VTR 564 D / E 350–400 60–70 1.8–2.5

*) Guidance values:
The cleaning interval depends upon environmental influences on

the intake air and the extent of contamination of the turbocharger.

The cleaning in service is best carried out on a routine basis. Regular
wet cleaning is recommended, at first every 100 to 200 running hours
(e.g. once a week). Depending on the contamination observed dur-
ing turbocharger overhaul, the cleaning interval should be adapted
accordingly.

Remark Too frequent cleaning produces an unnecessary load on the turbine components.

1998 2 Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd

 RTA48T-B Operation 6510–1/A1

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

Only clean fresh water without detergents or solvents is to be used for wet cleaning.

If an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) installation is fitted, the ammonia or urea injection must be stopped
before the turbine is washed.

After cleaning, the injection should only be restarted once the exhaust temperature before cleaning has been
reached again.

The water supply pressure should be selected in order to maintain the required water volume during turbine
washing.

Cleaning procedure

Change handle 10 of ball cock 9 in the drain pipe for the gas outlet casing to position ’WW’. The tube for scav-
enge air 12 is closed at the same time. Pay attention to the marks for the corresponding positions (see Fig. ’E’).
When the outlet is free, exhaust gas now flows from the drain pipe 11. Should this not be the case, then the
outlet must be freed. Only then may the washing process be started!

Reduce engine power till the required scavenge air pressure.

Before wet cleaning operate the engine at constant load for at least 5 minutes.

Fresh water supply must be at hand till the shut-off valve 2.

Couple the connecting hose 3 to the claw couplings 4 and open shut-off valve 2.

Loosen spindles 8 to the water inlet branches 7 by about four turns with the aid of the handwheel. Open needle
valve 5 slowly (within about 30 seconds). Inject water for 5 to 10 minutes.

Remark Discharge of water appears after about 2 to 3 minutes, but it may not necessarily appear.

To check that enough water is being injected, note whether the exhaust gas temperature after turbine drops to
about 100 C.

Remark In cases of emergency (e.g. ship’s safety), the engine load can be increased immediately during
the washing procedure. However, the water supply is to be shut off immediately by means of the
needle valve 5.

Now shut the valves in the following sequence:

1. Spindles 8 to the water inlet branches 7
2. Needle valve 5
3. Shut-off valve 2 of fresh water distributing pipe 1

Remark Remove connecting hose 3.

When no more water flows out of drain pipe 11, turn the ball cock handle 10 back to the operating position ’BS’.
Pay attention to the marks for the corresponding positions (see Fig. ’E’).
On no account must the engine be shut down immediately after turbine washing. It should be operated for at least
15 minutes above 25% load in order to dry out the complete exhaust gas installation.

Remark The cleaning should be repeated when the exhaust gas temperature after turbine is still too high
at higher loads.
When no improvement in temperature behaviour is seen after three cleaning procedures, the
turbocharger must be dismantled for cleaning, whereby the instructions in the Turbocharger
Manual must be followed .

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd 3 1998

6510–1/A1 Operation RTA48T-B

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

Key to Illustrations: ’D’ Schematic diagram of turbocharger cleaning

’E’ Ball cock positions
’F’ Arrangement of wash-water inlet to turbocharger
’G’ Arrangement of wash-water outlet from turbocharger

1 Fresh water distributing pipe 13 Drain pipe with funnel

2 Shut-off valve 14 Gas inlet casing
3 Connecting hose 15 Gas outlet casing
4 Claw coupling 16 Air outlet casing
5 Needle valve 17 Turbocharger support
6 Tube for water connection 18 Exhaust manifold
7 Water inlet branch
8 Spindle AG Exhaust gas side
9 Ball cock BS Operating position
10 Ball cock handle WA Wash-water drain
11 Drain pipe WS Water side
12 Tube for scavenge air WW Wash position

D Motor Anlage
ENGINE PLANT

2 E III

1 11
3
4 BS
10
5
6
7 15 16

7
14 98.7582

WW 11 10 9 12

11 Stellungsmarkierungen
9 MARKS FOR POSITIONS
12
11
10

10
13

WW BS
WA

1998 4 Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd

 RTA48T-B Operation 6510–1/A1

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

I AG II F
18

7
5

II
8 6

7
I
14
5
4
WS

WS

G IV - IV 11
15
16

IV IV
III
17
12
13
WA
98.7583

9 10 12
17

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd 5 1998

6510–1/A1 Operation RTA48T-B

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

Dry cleaning
Instead of water, dry solid particles in the form of granules are used for cleaning. A certain quantity of them, depend-
ing on the turbocharger size, is blown by compressed air into the exhaust pipe before the turbocharger.
The solid particles have a mechanical cleaning effect, possible deposits on nozzle ring and turbine blades being
removed. However, since it is not possible to remove fairly thick deposits with the comparatively small quantity of
solid particles required for each cleaning, this method has to be used more frequently.
This cleaning method has confirmed the excellent cleaning effect at exhaust gas temperatures over 500
C before
turbocharger.

Dry cleaning of the turbine (see Fig. ’H’ to ’J’)

Cleaning intervals: – Every 24–48 operating hours *)
Operating conditions: – The cleaning must take place when the engine is at working temperature and the load is
as high as possible (full service load), i.e. at high turbocharger speed.
Limiting values: – The scavenge air pressure should be above 0.5 bar.
– The required quantity of solid particles is shown in the following table.

Turbocharger Quantity
Type [I]
VTR 454 D / E about 1.8
VTR 564 D / E about 2.2

*) Guidance values: The cleaning interval depends upon environmental influences on

the intake air and the extent of contamination of the turbocharger.

Granulate specification
Designation: LIGNOBLAST soft blasting agents made from dry and broken vegetable fruit stones.
Technical data: – Grain size / grain shape . . . . . . 1.0 to 1.7 mm; edged
– Hardness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 to 50 Scleroscope grad
– Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . approx. 1.35 kg dm–3
– Density thrown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . approx. 0.8 kg dm–3
– Basic material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nutshells, apricot- and olive stones

Supplier: Order No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIG 12/3

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Berger & Bachmann Ltd
Bolimattstrasse 6
CH-5033 Buchs, Switzerland

1998 6 Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd

 RTA48T-B Operation 6510–1/A1

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

Remark The dry cleaning plant must be blown through with compressed air prior to the proper cleaning
(preparation). Therewith, possible collected deposits or condensate are being removed from the
pipes.

Initial position, engine in operation (no cleaning procedure)

Shut-off valve 4 closed.
H

Pressure vessel 1 empty and closed by means of closing
nut 2. 9

Actuating rod 8 in position CLOSED (ball valve 9 closed).
10 3

Shut-off valve 6 (vent) open. 8

Compressed air must be at hand till shut-off valve 4.

Remark This initial position must be checked and if geschlossen 7

necessary be carried out (see also instruc- CLOSED
tion panel).
4
2 6
Blow through (preparation) 1

Close shut-off valve 6 (vent). EL

Open shut-off valve 4.
DL

Turn actuating rod 8 to position OPEN (ball valve 9 open).

Close shut-off valve 4 after about two minutes (blow-
5
through is finished).

Turn actuating rod 8 to position CLOSED (ball valve 9
closed).

Open shut-off valve 6 slowly in order to vent pressure ves-
sel 1.
I
Cleaning procedure
9

Open pressure vessel 1 by means of closing nut 2.

Close shut-off valve 4 (vent). 10 3

Fill pressure vessel 1 with the required quantity of granu- 8
lates through funnel 3. Close pressure vessel 1 by means
of closing nut 2.
offen 7

Open shut-off valve 4. OPEN

Turn actuating rod 8 to position OPEN (ball valve 9 open).
4
The granulates are blown now into the exhaust pipe 12 with 2 6
compressed air.
1

Turn actuating rod 8 to position CLOSED (ball valve 9 EL
closed) after about two minutes.

Close shut-off valve 4. DL 98.7584

Open shut-off valve 6 (vent) slowly (cleaning procedure is

finished). 5

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd 7 1998

6510–1/A1 Operation RTA48T-B

Cleaning the Turbocharger in Operation

Escaping residue
The granulate is burnt by the high exhaust temperatures and expelled together with finely removed dirt.

Attention It may occur that during dry cleaning part of the blown-in solid particles escape through the chim-
ney in singed condition.

Key to Illustrations: ’H’ Position NORMAL OPERATION

’I’ Position for flush out and cleaning
’J’ Arrangement of dry cleaning plant

1 Pressure vessel 10 Cleaning pipe

2 Closing nut 11 Instruction panel
3 Funnel 12 Exhaust pipe before turbocharger
4 Shut-off valve for compressed air 13 Gas inlet casing
5 Compressed air distribution 14 Exhaust gas manifold
6 Shut-off valve (vent)
7 Relief valve
8 Actuating rod DL Compressed air
9 Ball valve for cleaning EL Vent

9
10
8

14 12 12

8 3
3
13
7
1
1

6
4
EL

DL

98.7585

11

1998 8
Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd