Dry Ice Blasting to Clean Wind Turbines

The wind energy sector faces a massive problem when cleaning and maintaining the internal machinery of a wind turbine.

The main components that need cleaning are:

Process

The process begins with the application of dry ice pellets, which are propelled at high speeds using compressed air. When the pellets strike a surface, they sublimate instantly, creating micro-explosions that lift and remove contaminants. This method effectively removes dirt, grease, oil, and other residues without the use of harsh chemicals or water, making it particularly suitable for sensitive components within a wind turbine.

Applications in Wind Turbines

Dry ice cleaning is used to maintain various internal components of wind turbines, including gearboxes, generators, and electronic controls. These components are prone to accumulating dirt, grease, and other contaminants over time, which can impede their operation and reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning ensures that these parts remain in optimal condition, thereby enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the turbine.

All these parts, and more, need regular cleaning as the lubricants administered over a period, collect dust and external airborne particles. These mixed with lubricants affect the performance of the workings. Conventional cleaning involves dismantling each part and cleaning by hand. Until now.

Dry ice blasting can clean the mechanics, without any dismantling. Everything remains in situation.  This is because Dry ice blasting is:

  • safe to use over electrical components – the inert, dry properties of dry ice mean we can safely pass over electric hardware without fear of damage or corrosion
  • Moisture Free
  • Non-conductive
  • Non-abrasive- the nature of the process means we won’t damage the internal workings of the machinery.
  • Free from secondary waste exposure – the blast media we use is a frozen gas, meaning there is zero waste from our process. We create no dust or mess
  • Contains no chemicals or solvents