MANILA, Philippines - Thai Airways has taken delivery of its ClearCore engine wash system, developed by GE Aviation. GE’s ClearCore TM system could save Thai more than $4 million annually if utilized across the airline’s aircraft fleet.
“Thai Airways has taken many steps to reduce its impact on the environment, and GE’s ClearCore engine wash system is another way that we can improve our engine’s fuel consumption and performance, which ultimately reduces emissions,” said Flt. Lt. Montree Jumrieng, managing director of technical department, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited.
“By selecting GE’s ClearCore engine wash system, Thai Airways is demonstrating its commitment to improving the performance of its engine fleet and lowering its overall operating costs,” said John Gough, GE Aviation’s flight operations director and leader of Fuel & Carbon Solutions. “GE’s ClearCore engine wash system features a full effluent capture system in which the water is cleaned and can be
re-used, providing Thai with a complete on-wing engine wash system that can be used at the gate or in a hangar.”
An engine’s performance deteriorates over time due to mechanical wear and environmental contamination, such as dust and sand. The deterioration caused by these environmental factors can be lessened with GE’s ClearCore. The mobile unit enables operators to quickly and easily clean surface contaminants, like dust and other environmental deposits, from inner aircraft engine components to maximize operating efficiency.
ClearCore engine wash system is designed to fully capture wash water and prevent runoff during the wash operation. The wash water is then filtered for reuse. An integrated vacuum system eliminates water pooling. While the amount of performance recovered can vary based on operating conditions and wash interval cycle, customers who use ClearCore can see an improvement in the exhaust gas temperature (EGT), specific fuel consumption and time on-wing.
The ClearCore engine wash system can be used on any aircraft engine. Customers can purchase a full-service package with GE providing the washes or can choose to purchase the equipment only. The water collection system can be used with existing front-end washing systems.
GE’s ClearCore engine wash system is part of GE’s ecomagination product portfolio, which is GE’s commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers’ environmental and
operating performance.