Lufthansa Technik AG has developed a unique procedure to wash engines with dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). The company has filed several patent applications, which means it can now develop an actual product, which will be called Cyclean Dry Ice. As of 2019, thesystem will be used alongside the water-based Cyclean engine wash.
During the new engine wash procedure, dry ice pellets that are only a few millimeters in size are shot into the engine via a mobile blasting system. When they hit the components, the pellets release kinetic energy. Through this energy and the contact with the ice-coldpellets (-78.5 degrees Celsius / -109.3 °F), dirt is dislodged from the components.
The new procedure has many advantages: The carbon dioxide used is a by-product of the oil refinery and fertilizer industries so that no additional carbon dioxide has to be generated. And since the pellets transition fully to a gaseous state, there are no residues to deal with. In addition, the procedure can also be applied at outdoor temperatures below freezing. Engines can thus be washed 365 days a year, even in permafrost regions.
The mobile Cyclean Dry Ice washing system is mounted on a platform with an omnidirectional drive. A height-adjustable scissor lift enables fast and thorough cleaning of all engine types, regardless oftheir size and height. Since there is no need to fasten any pieces of equipment to the engine or to perform a run-up after the engine has been washed, the time needed for the cleaning process - and thus the ground time - is reduced to just 30 minutes compared with conventional engine washes.
Dirk Deja, project manager at Lufthansa Technik, said: "With this new procedure, Lufthansa Technik will strengthen its leading market position and be the first MRO provider to offer engine washes with dry ice on the market. We are thus making another significant contribution to reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in civil aviation by several hundred thousand tons per year."
Lufthansa Technik:
With some 35 subsidiaries and affiliates, the Lufthansa Technik Group is one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world. Certified internationally as maintenance, production and design organization, the company has a workforce of more than 25,000 employees. Lufthansa Technik's portfolio covers the entire range of services for commercial and VIP/special mission aircraft, engines, components and landing gear in the areas of digital fleet support, maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, completion and conversion as well as the manufacture of innovative cabin products.
Find more info about us on: www.lufthansa-technik.com
