SERVICE BULLETIN

NOTICE: The Type of Change and Recommended Compliance specified reflects Solar’s best judgment regarding the
Service Bulletin. All questions should be directed to your Solar Field Service Representative. Solar, Saturn,
Centaur, Taurus, Mercury, Mars, Titan, SoLoNOx, and Turbotronic are trademarks of Solar Turbines Incorporated.
Cat and Caterpillar are trademarks of Caterpillar Inc. Specifications subject to change without notice.

NUMBER: 8.0/112E
ISSUED: March 1989
REVISED: May 2002
PRODUCT: All
MODEL(S): All
Specifics:

SUBJECT: INGESTIVE CLEANING OF SOLAR GAS TURBINE ENGINES

—REVISION NOTICE—
This Bulletin revision “E” reflects updates from the current release
of Solar Specification ES 9-62.

Type of Change: Product Information

Recommended
Compliance: Next Maintenance

Purpose:
To provide the latest requirements for ingestive cleaning pertaining to Solar gas turbine engines.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Thorough internal cleaning of gas turbine engines is essential to maintaining top performance and
lengthening service life. The use of proper cleaning products and/or water is critical to the cleaning
operation. This Bulletin summarizes engineering specification requirements for ingestive cleaning
as documented in Solar Engineering Specification ES 9-62, revision K.

The information presented here reflects Solar’s most current information and recommendations for
turbine ingestive cleaning. Recommendations from this Bulletin take precedence over any conflict-
ing information that may be encountered in Solar Operation and Maintenance Manuals.

SERVICE BULLETIN Caterpillar Confidential: Green Page 1 of 6

NUMBER: 8.0/112E
Cleaning Operations
Table 1 summarizes the types of ingestive cleaning operations permitted for Solar turbine engines.
In the current revision of ES 9-62, abrasive cleaning is no longer recommended for any model
of Solar turbine engine. This change was necessary because internally cooled first stage nozzles
may now be used in all Saturn models, at the discretion of customers and Solar overhaul facilities.
Abrasive cleaners are incompatible with internally cooled turbine components. Also, water based
cleaning products are adequately effective in cleaning all models of turbine engines.

Table 1 Permissible Engine Cleaning Modes

Permissible Engine
Cleaning Mode Models Speed or Load Range
Abrasive, On-Crank None N/A
Water Based Cleaning Product, All Normal Starter Crank Speed
On-Crank
Water Based Cleaning All, Excepting Any Models Idle Speed to Full Speed,
Product, On-Line Configured With a Recuperator Any Load

THE ENGINE MUST BE COOLED TO MINIMIZE RISK OF FIRE

AND/OR CONTACT WITH HOT SURFACES AND FLUIDS DURING ON
CRANK CLEANING OPERATIONS. FAILURE TO COOL THE ENGINE
ADEQUATELY PRIOR TO CLEANING MAY ALSO CAUSE TURBINE
DAMAGE.

The turbine must be allowed to cool adequately before introducing liquids for On-Crank cleaning
operations. Compressor casing surface temperature measured at the flange to the compressor dif-
fuser must be below 65C (149F) before On-Crank cleaning is performed. Appropriate equipment
for measuring metal surface temperatures should be used, such as an infrared temperature sensor.

FAILURE TO OBSERVE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE LIMITATIONS FOR

ON-CRANK AND ON-LINE CLEANING MODES MAY CAUSE TURBINE
DAMAGE.

Ambient temperature limitations and freeze point depressant recommendations have been revised
in the current revision of ES 9-62. Requirements for cold ambient On-Crank wash are presented in
Table 2. On-Crank wash is not permitted if ambient temperature is below -20C (–14F). On-Line
cleaning is not permitted if ambient temperature is below 4C (39F).

Page 2 of 6
Caterpillar Confidential: Green SERVICE BULLETIN
NUMBER: 8.0/112E
 Table 2 On-Crank Requirements for Water/Freeze point depressant Mix
Volume Ratio in Cold Ambient Temperatures
Volume RatioFreeze point
depressant : Water or
Ambient Temperature Freeze point depressant Cleaning Product
   
-20 C(-4 F) to 4 C(39 F) Methanol 2: 3
   
-20 C(-4 F) to 4 C(39 F) Mono-ethylene Glycol 2: 3
   
-10 C(14 F) to 4 C(39 F) Isopropyl Alcohol 1: 1

On-Line Cleaning in Offshore/High Salinity Environments

Sodium ingestion through fuel, air, cleaning solutions and/or water can cause rapid turbine deteri-
oration from corrosive attack. Cleaning solution Sodium concentration limits are presented in ES
9-62, and limits are more stringent for On-Line ingestive cleaning solutions. Sodium concentration
limits for fuel, air and NOx injection water (if used) are presented in Solar specification ES 9-98
(Reference Service Bulletin 8.0/120). On-Line cleaning is permitted as described in Table 1 for
turbines operating offshore or in other high salinity environments as long as all requirements of
ES 9-62 and ES 9-98 are satisfied at all times. Great care must be taken to confirm that filtered air
entering the turbine is free from harmful concentrations of Sodium, especially during worst case
operating conditions, such as during rough seas.

If air inlet filtration is not effective to control Sodium ingestion, On-Line cleaning may act to hasten
corrosive attack. Sodium will collect on compressor airfoil surfaces along with other contaminants
passing through the turbine. The Sodium liberated during the On-Line cleaning procedure will then
pass through the turbine in higher concentration than during normal operation.

Special attention to qualify the air inlet system is recommended before initiating an On-Line clean-
ing program in offshore/high salinity environments. Qualifications should include:

• Design review with filtration vendor

• Installation review and observation during worst case exposure/weather conditions
• Compressor visual inspection for Sodium fouling following operation through worst case
exposure/weather conditions

The inlet system should then be carefully maintained to assure continuous control of ingested
Sodium.

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NUMBER: 8.0/112E
Requirements for Water and Cleaning Products
Tables 3 and 4 list physical properties and contaminant limits for water and “cleaning product” used
in On-Crank or On-Line ingestive cleaning. The phrase “cleaning product” describes the mixture
of cleaning solution and water in the concentration used for cleaning. Only water borne cleaning
products are permissible for use in Solar turbine engines.

INGESTIVE CLEANING USING WATER OR CLEANING PRODUCTS

THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF ES 9-62 MAY CAUSE
TURBINE DAMAGE.

Table 3 Requirements for Water Used in Ingestive Cleaning of Solar Engines

Max. Limits for Max. Limits for
Test Method On-Crank Cleaning On-Line Cleaning
Sodium + Potassium ASTM D1428 105 ppmw 1.9 ppmw
Fluorine 100 ppmw 1.9 ppmw
Chlorine ASTM D512 100 ppmw 40 ppmw
Lead ASTM D3559 2 ppmw 0.70 ppmw
Vanadium ASTM D3373 2 ppmw 0.35 ppmw
Iron, Tin, Silicon, ASTM D857, D858, 10 ppmw 3.8 ppmw
Aluminum, Copper, D1068, D1688
Manganese,
Phosphorus
Calcium + Magnesium ASTM D3605, D511 100 ppmw 3.8 ppmw
Total Dissolved Solids ASTM D1888 350 ppmw 5 ppmw
PH ASTM D 1293 6-9 6-9

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Caterpillar Confidential: Green SERVICE BULLETIN
NUMBER: 8.0/112E
 Table 4 Requirements for Cleaning Product Used in Ingestive
Cleaning of Solar Engines
Max. Limits Max. Limits
for On-Crank for On-Line
Test Method Solutions Solutions
Sodium + Potassium ASTM D1428 105 ppmw 1.9 ppmw
Fluorine 100 ppmw 1.9 ppmw
Chlorine ASTM D512 100 ppmw 40 ppmw
Lead ASTM D3559 2 ppmw 0.70 ppmw
Vanadium ASTM D3373 2 ppmw 0.35 ppmw
Iron, Tin, Silicon, ASTM D857, D858, D1068, 10 ppmw 3.8 ppmw
Aluminum, Copper, D1688
Manganese,
Phosphorus
Calcium + Magnesium ASTM D3605 ASTM D511 100 ppmw 3.8 ppmw
Ash ASTM D482 0.25 wt. % 0.01 wt. %
Flash Point ASTM D93 >140F >140F
PH ASTM D 1293 6-9 6-9

Addendum 9-62-1, which listed Solar approved cleaning solutions from various vendors, was
deleted from the current release of ES 9-62. Solar has no control over the composition of
these cleaning solutions, and therefore cannot assert that in perpetuity such products meet the
requirements of ES 9-62. Solar will continue to offer various cleaning solutions which are
controlled to meet ES 9-62 requirements, and identified with Solar part numbers as listed in Table
5. These products are available through local Solar service parts support channels.

NOTE
It is the responsibility of the end user to properly dispose of all effluents
produced during on-crank cleaning operations in accordance with local laws
and applicable environmental regulations. Disposal of waste products is not
typically a consideration for on-line cleaning because the cleaning product
is combusted completely in the turbine.

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NUMBER: 8.0/112E
 Table 5 Solar Cleaning Solutions for On-Line and On-Crank Cleaning
Solar Product Name
Solar Gas Turbine Cleaner
No. 1(Petroleum Solvent
Based)Concentrate
Solar Gas Turbine Cleaner
No. 1(Petroleum Solvent
Based)Ready-To-Use
Solar Gas Turbine Cleaner
No. 2(Natural Solvent Water
Based)Concentrate
Solar Gas Turbine Cleaner
No. 2(Natural Solvent Water
Based)Ready-To-Use
Solar Gas Turbine Cleaner
No. 3(Non-Solvent Water
Based)Concentrate
Solar Gas Turbine Cleaner
No. 3(Non-Solvent Water
Based)Ready-To-Use
Page 6 of 6
Maximum StrengthVolume
Ratio(Water: Cleaning
Solar P/N Solution)
P/N 701690C2 (6.5 gal) 4:1
P/N 701691C2 (55 gal)
P/N 701696C2 (6.5 gal) Full Strength
P/N 701697C2 (55 gal)
P/N 701688C2 (6.5 gal) 4:1
P/N 701689C2 (55 gal)
P/N 701694C2 (6.5 gal) Full Strength
P/N 701695C2 (55 gal)
P/N 1011634 (6.5 gal) 4:1
P/N 1011635 (55 gal)
P/N 1011636 (6.5 gal) Full Strength
P/N 1011637 (55 gal)
Caterpillar Confidential: Green SERVICE BULLETIN
NUMBER: 8.0/112E