GE Power Product Service

Inlet Filtration and Water Wash Quality Checklist Information

PSIB 20130813A-R1 Bulletin
Overview
The checklist provided below is a compilation of best practice checks and tests, to assist in periodic inlet filtration
and water wash maintenance, for all Alstom and GE heavy duty gas turbines. One of the best practices when
inspecting the inlet filtration system is to use a check list. The check list is typically completed during a shutdown to
assess the current state of corrosion and/or Foreign Object Damage (FOD) risk to a unit.

Application

All heavy duty gas turbines.

Reason for revision

To provide further detail on inlet and evaporative cooler inspections and water wash guidelines in line with recent
revisions of GEK111330, GEK111332 and TIL1603-R2.

Background
Corrosion has been known to pose a variety of risks to gas turbines. These risks include fouling and pitting of airfoils
from ingestion of corrosive elements and increased stresses from buildup in stator ring segments. Corrosion has
been attributed to improper filtration/maintenance, compromised inlet system integrity, insufficient filtration for site
conditions, and incorrect or non-optimal water wash practices.

The checklist provides inspections to identify increased corrosion risk. It is broken up by different areas of the gas
turbine and inlet. Completion of these inspections, along with proper maintenance to address any findings, should
mitigate the risk of corrosion-related damage.

Advisory
When performing these checks, ensure all EHS and confined space practices are followed. GE recommends inlet
filtration inspections be completed on a periodic basis. Some of the checklist items are required at least annually,
while some others have a longer period; such as a Combustion Inspection (CI) or Major Inspection (MI). Please
reference the supplied documents within your unit manuals and unit specific TILs for details on the recommended
inspections, and site-specific criteria.

Please contact your local GE representative for additional information or assistance.

Copyright © 2019 General Electric Company. This information is proprietary and is the property of GE Power. The content of
this document is provided for general information and awareness. Always refer to your unit’s O&M Manuals for detailed
information to the operation and maintenance of your equipment. This document shall not be reproduced in whole or in part
nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Power & Water Services Engineering
 PSIB 20130813A-R1
Example Inlet Filtration and Water Wash Quality Inspection Checklist 1 of 4

Inspection Date:_______________ Inspector:_________________ Unit:__________________

Filter House - Dirty Side Between Weatherhood and Filters – At least annually unless specified otherwise

 Record the type (vendor & part number) of the pre-filters, if applicable: -
__________________________________
 Record the type (vendor & part number) of the final filters:
____________________________________________
 Record the type (vendor & part number) of the coalescers, if applicable: -
__________________________________
 Record the type (vendor & part number) of any additional filter or configuration, if
applicable:________________
 Check for loose bolts on flanges
 Check for the presence of water at the bottom of the inlet
 Check for fully loaded (dirty) filters, as evidenced by the pressure drop across filters, and replace if
necessary
 Inspect filter elements for corrosion, damage or air bypass gaps (via tears, rips, holes, gasket wear, etc.)
and replace if necessary (average useful life of filter elements is 2-3 years)
 Ensure final filters are secured tightly against the supporting framework

Filter house - Clean Air Side of Filter House – The earlier of 3 years or a CI, unless specified otherwise

 Validate that all clean air flanges are 100% air and water tight. Conduct a water spray test (or “hose test”)
per GEK 111330. A light test by itself is insufficient to identify all flange leaks. GE recommends performing
a water spray test to identify any installation defects with respect to flange sealing of clean air joints. For
the time period to conduct a water spray test, please consult the latest revision of GEK 111330.
 Check for the indications of water at the bottom of the inlet which may include visible water or
staining/deposits where water has evaporated. Streaking may occur on vertical surfaces.
 Check for corrosive deposits on piping, support struts, filter frame, floor, and walls
 For pulse filter houses, on conical filters, inspect tripod yokes for corrosion/contaminants
 Ensure final filters are secured tightly against the supporting framework
 Check for damage to the expansion joint belts, if applicable
 Inspect for paint damage and repair as per GEK111330
 Clean any dirt/debris present
 Check access hatch(s) for gaps and damaged seals

Copyright © 2019 General Electric Company. This information is proprietary and is the property of GE Power. The content of
this document is provided for general information and awareness. Always refer to your unit’s O&M Manuals for detailed
information to the operation and maintenance of your equipment. This document shall not be reproduced in whole or in part
nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Power & Water Services Engineering
2 of 4
 PSIB 20130813A-R1
Example Inlet Filtration and Water Wash Quality Inspection Checklist 2 of 4

Inspection Date:_______________ Inspector:_________________ Unit:__________________

Filter House – Evaporative Cooler (if applicable) – At least annually unless specified otherwise

 Ensure even wetting and water flow over the cooler media, at all levels, on the upstream side.
 Monitor the motor and pump operation (example: noise or vibration), on an ongoing basis.
 Monitor the flow rate at the distribution header; and compare against the requirement in the project
installation drawings, on an ongoing basis.
 Inspect for plugged evaporative cooler shower head nozzles or pipes, and clean.
 Inspect for any water flow outside the area designated for its containment within the evaporative cooler
system and perform repairs (for example: piping leaks).
 Inspect the tanks for debris – presence of media debris indicates a breakdown of the media, and clean.
 Media buildup – indicates scaling due to water condition.
 Visual inspection of the media is important to find any heavily fouled, damaged or highly softened sections,
replace any fouled/damage/softened evaporative cooler media.
 Inspect for visible water downstream of the evaporative cooler.
 Conduct water analysis on periodic basis per the latest revision of GEK107158. The GEK needs to be
reviewed in full, as many of the calculations are inter-related.
 Check the conductivity controller and control valves for proper operation.
 Commission each evaporative cooler annually; as outlined in the latest revision of GEK111331.
 For new or replaced sections of media, ensure they are installed in the correct orientation. Follow the latest
revision of GEK111331 for guidance on inspecting for the correct orientation.
 Inspect for paint damage and repair as per GEK111330
 Clean any dirt/debris present

Example Inlet Filtration and Water Wash Quality Inspection Checklist 3 of 4

Inspection Date:_______________ Inspector:_________________ Unit:__________________

Inlet Ducting – The earlier of 3 years or a CI, unless specified otherwise

 Validate that all clean air flanges are 100% air and water tight. Conduct a water spray test (or “hose test”)
per GEK 111332. A light test by itself is insufficient to identify all flange leaks. GE recommends performing
a water spray test to identify any installation defects with respect to flange sealing of clean air joints. For
the time period to conduct a water spray test, please consult the latest revision of GEK 111330.
 Check for indications of water ingress or evaporative cooler overflow along floor and walls.
 Inspect trash screen (if present) for debris, corrosion, missing wires, worn wires, and tautness.
 Check silencer panels for any abnormalities - signs of streaking, staining, water damage, collapsed pillows,
missing pillows, bulging perforated sheet, cracked welds, etc.
 Check for corrosive deposits or cracks on silencer panels, struts, duct floor, and walls.
 Check for damage to the expansion joint belts.
 Inspect for paint damage and repair as per GEK111332.
 Clean any dirt/debris present.
 Check access hatch(s) for gaps and damaged seals.

Copyright © 2019 General Electric Company. This information is proprietary and is the property of GE Power. The content of
this document is provided for general information and awareness. Always refer to your unit’s O&M Manuals for detailed
information to the operation and maintenance of your equipment. This document shall not be reproduced in whole or in part
nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Power & Water Services Engineering
3 of 4
 PSIB 20130813A-R1
Inlet Plenum/Bellmouth – The earlier of 3 years or a CI, unless specified otherwise

 Validate that all clean air flanges are 100% air and water tight. Conduct a water spray test (or “hose test”)
per GEK 111332. A light test by itself is insufficient to identify all flange leaks. GE recommends performing
a water spray test to identify any installation defects with respect to flange sealing of clean air joints. For
the time period to conduct a water spray test, please consult the latest revision of GEK 111330.
 Check for water streaks on any bolted jointed areas or expansion joints.
 Check for indications of water ingress or evaporative cooler water carry-over along floor and walls
 Check for damage to the expansion joint belts.
 Inspect bellmouth for chipped paint and repair as per GEK111332.
 Inspect bellmouth and IGV’s for deposits and oil buildup.
 Clean any dirt/debris present.
 Check access hatch to inlet plenum for gaps and damaged seals.

Example Inlet Filtration and Water Wash Quality Inspection Checklist 4 of 4

Inspection Date:_______________ Inspector:_________________ Unit:__________________

Water Wash – At least annually unless specified otherwise

 Ensure water wash nozzles are not clogged or damaged.

 Check bellmouth for water streak marks to make sure nozzles are working correctly.
 Verify water wash skid outlet point meets flow, pressure and temperature requirements per GEK
103623 for non-pulsed water wash systems or the skid schematic drawing.
 Where applicable, take samples of the cooling tower water, evaporative cooler sump water, water wash
water and water wash detergent per GEK 103623
 Perform online water wash per prescribed schedules, for GE manufactured units*:
 Please refer to the latest revision of TIL1603 for F-class units. For B and E-class units, online water
wash may be performed per the control system permissive for each particular unit; and is required
to extend the period between off-line washes.
 For 7HA and 9HA class units, please refer to the documentation provided in the site technical
manual; for example: GEK121137 for 7HA and GEK116987 for 9HA.
 Offline water wash performed a minimum of 2 times per year, depending on unit availability and unit-
specific rate of fouling
 For Alstom manufactured units: Depending on the site-specific environment and air filtration
configuration, a site-specific online & offline water wash regime might be suggested. Contact GE for
additional information or assistance on this topic.

* To be used unless site-specific instructions were provided.

Please contact your local GE representative for additional information or assistance.

Copyright © 2019 General Electric Company. This information is proprietary and is the property of GE Power. The content of
this document is provided for general information and awareness. Always refer to your unit’s O&M Manuals for detailed
information to the operation and maintenance of your equipment. This document shall not be reproduced in whole or in part
nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Power & Water Services Engineering
4 of 4