Patent ID: 6475289
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: B08B,C23G,F01D,F02C,F05D,Y02T

Abstract:
A method of cleaning an internal passage of a gas turbine engine-run airfoil, comprising the steps of:a) providing a gas turbine engine-run airfoil that has been used in a gas turbine engine such that foreign material is present in an internal passage of said airfoil, b) providing a vessel open to ambient atmospheric pressure and containing a liquid, said liquid comprising at least 50%. by weight of a hydroxide selected from the group consisting of an alkali hydroxide and an alkaline earth hydroxide and the balance water, and c) cleaning said airfoil in said vessel open to said ambient atmospheric pressure by immersing said airfoil in said liquid for a period of time to remove foreign material from the internal passage of said airfoil, wherein said liquid is at said ambient atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of about 275 degrees F. and above during said cleaning step.