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ROCHEM Fyrewash Ltd
5-6 Sun Valley Business Park
Winnall Close, Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 0LB
ROCHEM Fyrewash Inc
23707 West Hardy Road
Spring
Texas
77373
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05.27.26
You schedule regular . You've selected the most appropriate possible. You may reasonably presume your washes are effective at ... What if your detergent is missing entire sections of the compressor, leaving hidden contamination that kills performance?
Blade coverage and spray distribution are critical to ensuring the most possible. But why are these factors so important, and how can you improve them? Let’s find out…
During a gas turbine compressor cleaning cycle, atomized water/ are sprayed directly into the compressor. This washes the internal surfaces via a combination of:
Once fouling is removed, the system is thoroughly rinsed until conductivity targets are achieved.
While the process sounds simple, cleaning effectiveness depends heavily on how evenly the spray reaches internal compressor surfaces.
The concept is straightforward: a cleaning solution can only clean the surfaces it actually contacts.
Any areas missed during the wash cycle remain fouled, reducing the effectiveness of the cleaning process and impacting overall turbine performance.
Even when the correct detergent is used, poor spray distribution can lead to:
In many cases, inconsistent spray coverage quietly limits the effectiveness of otherwise well-designed cleaning programs.
Field observations on certain GE units during online washing showed visible streaking patterns across the bellmouth and compressor blades.
In several cases:
These observations suggested that airflow dynamics and nozzle positioning were significantly influencing spray distribution and overall cleaning coverage.
Some operators use water-only online washing programs and assume spray distribution is less critical without detergents involved.
However, field observations on certain GE 7FA units using water-only online washing suggested otherwise.
Operators observed that:
Whether using water-only washes or , full blade coverage and consistent spray distribution remain essential for effective compressor cleaning.
are engineered to inject atomized spray directly into the airflow zone ahead of the compressor face to improve overall blade coverage.
Three primary factors determine how effectively a cleaning solution reaches compressor surfaces:
Understanding how these variables interact has allowed Rochem to develop advanced nozzle technology designed to achieve more complete and consistent blade coverage.
Rochem has spent decades developing compressor cleaning technology through field testing, operational experience, and ongoing product refinement.
During a site visit in Lake Charles, earlier-generation nozzle designs from the 1990s revealed several limitations, including:
Since then, Rochem’s nozzle technology has continued to evolve through extensive testing and real-world operating experience.
Today’s nozzle designs are engineered to improve spray consistency, optimize atomization, and enhance overall cleaning performance.
Rochem cleaning nozzles are installed at facilities around the world and are manufactured using high-quality materials with in-house testing performed at the company’s UK workshop.
Operators of GE 7FA and EA units have reported noticeable improvements following nozzle upgrades, particularly in spray consistency and cleaning effectiveness.
Our customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the results our nozzles and technology achieve.
Nozzle positioning, atomization, and spray trajectory all play a critical role in determining whether the cleaning solution fully reaches the compressor surfaces.
If spray coverage is compromised, operators risk:
Effective compressor cleaning isn’t just about choosing the right detergent.
It’s about delivering that solution evenly and consistently throughout the compressor.
If you’re considering upgrading your gas turbine Rochem FYREWASH® can help improve spray coverage and cleaning effectiveness across your operation.
Post written by Martin Howarth
An extensive knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering together with hands on experience with gas turbines provides a bedrock for his work at Rochem.
