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Pratt & Whitney
STANDARD PRACTICES MANUAL (PN 585005)
CLEANING PROCEDURES − SPOP−91
Task 70−21−00−130−002:
1. SPOP 91 − Ultrasonic Cleaning Of Air−Cooled Turbine Airfoils And
Duct Segments
WARNING: REFER TO THE MANUFACTURER'S MATERIAL SAFETY DATA
SHEETS FOR CONSUMABLE MATERIAL'S INFORMATION SUCH
AS: HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS, PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL
CHARACTERISTICS, FIRE, EXPLOSION, REACTIVITY, HEALTH
HAZARD DATA, PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING, USE AND
CONTROL MEASURES.
CAUTION: INCORRECT ULTRASONIC CLEANING CAN CAUSE INTERNAL
AS WELL AS EXTERNAL CRACKING IN BOTH NEW AND
ENGINE−OPERATED PARTS UNDER SOME CONDITIONS. TO
MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF DAMAGE TO PARTS, USE THE
EQUIPMENT BELOW.
CAUTION: DEVIATIONS FROM THE PROCESS THAT FOLLOWS WILL CAUSE
CHANGES IN THE PART−TO−TANK INTERACTION, WHICH CAN
RESULT IN CRACKS TO THE PARTS.
CAUTION: THE ULTRASONIC UNIT MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A TIMER THAT
AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF THE MACHINE.
CAUTION: THE ULTRASONIC TANK MUST HAVE A SOLUTION LEVEL MARKER
AND A LOW SOLUTION LEVEL SHUT−OFF.
CAUTION: AN AUTOFILL DEVICE IS OPTIONAL.
NOTE: This SPOP provides a method of general light cleaning.
(The removal of blasting media grit after abrasive
blasting and light dirt, scale, and carbon deposits from
internal cavities.)
NOTE: Refer to 70−20−00, General−01 for additional
requirements.
A. Equipment And Materials
(1) The types of standard tools that follow can be
purchased:
(a) A high intensity ultrasonic system with 20 − 40
kHz frequency and with a power rating of 6 − 11
watts/square inch (0.9 − 1.7 watts/cm²) of tank
cross−section (LOCAL PURCHASE)
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Pratt & Whitney
STANDARD PRACTICES MANUAL (PN 585005)
CLEANING PROCEDURES − SPOP−91
1 For systems with magnetostrictive transducers,
the power rating in watts/volume must be 79 −
81 watts/gallon (20.9 − 21.4 watts/liter). Do
not exceed 81 watts/gallon (21.4 watts/liter).
2 For systems with piezoelectric transducers, the
power rating in watts/volume must not be less
than 40 watts/gallon (10.6 watts/liter). Do
not exceed 56 watts/gallon (14.8 watts/liter).
(b) A multiple frequency ultrasonic system with random
sweep rates and random amplitude modulation
frequencies.
NOTE: For the source of this equipment, refer to
source code EQ016 in 70−91−00, General−02
(Task 70−91−00−990−002) for the source
name/address identified by this source
code.
(2) Ultrasonic power intensity can be rated in several
ways:
(a) Watts/Square Inch Of Tank Cross−Section:
1 To calculate the watts/square inch of tank
cross−section, divide the tank cross−section
area in square inches into the average power of
the ultrasonic generator. The result is the
average power intensity (in watts/square inch)
in an ultrasonic cleaning tank in which all
areas are to be used for cleaning.
2 This is the important rating in standard bottom
transducer ultrasonic tanks. It permits you to
determine if there is sufficient power to do
the cleaning that is necessary on the amount of
parts that are to be cleaned at one time.
(b) Watts/Gallon Or Liter Of Solution:
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STANDARD PRACTICES MANUAL (PN 585005)
CLEANING PROCEDURES − SPOP−91
1 To calculate the watts/gallon or liter of
solution, divide the average power of the
ultrasonic generator by the solution volume of
the cleaning tank. The watts/gallon or liter
will give a comparative idea of how fast the
tank will heat up and help in the selection of
correct heating or cooling elements to keep
the solution temperature at the most efficient
level.
(3) The processing tank must be equipped with heating
and/or cooling elements that can control the
temperature of the cleaning solution within the
recommended operating temperature range. The
ultrasonic energy will increase the temperature of
the cleaning solution, so cooling capability may be
necessary in addition to heating capability.
B. Consumable Materials
(1) Refer to 70−22−00, GENERAL−01 (Task 70−22−00−980−001)
for the consumable materials necessary for the
make−up of the alkaline cleaning solutions used in
SPOP 203 (Task 70−21−00−110−007) and SPOP 209 (Task
70−21−00−110−041).
C. Procedure
(1) Ultrasonically clean as follows:
CAUTION: KEEP THE SOLUTION LEVEL TO THE
MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED LEVEL WITH
PARTS FULLY IN THE SOLUTION.
CAUTION: IF YOU OPERATE THE TANK BELOW THE
RECOMMENDED LEVEL, YOU WILL INCREASE THE
INTENSITY OF THE ULTRASONIC ACTION AND
CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PARTS.
CAUTION: AT INTERVALS, REMOVE UNWANTED MATERIAL
FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK. IF THIS
UNWANTED MATERIAL IS PERMITTED TO
COLLECT, IT WILL ABSORB THE ULTRASONIC
ENERGY AND WILL REDUCE THE EFFECT OF THE
ULTRASONIC CLEANING ACTION.
(a) Fill the tank with an alkaline cleaning solution
from SPOP 203 (Task 70−21−00−110−007) or SPOP 209
(Task 70−21−00−110−041). Operate the SPOP 203
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Pratt & Whitney
STANDARD PRACTICES MANUAL (PN 585005)
CLEANING PROCEDURES − SPOP−91
(Task 70−21−00−110−007) solutions at 160° −
170°F (71° − 77°C); operate the SPOP 209 (Task
70−21−00−110−041) solutions at the temperature
range specified in SPOP 209 but do not exceed
170°F (77°C). Refer to 70−21−00, SPOP−203 (Task
70−21−00−110−007) or 70−21−00, SPOP−209 (Task
70−21−00−110−041).
NOTE: Do not exceed 170°F (77°C). Higher
temperatures reduce the effect of the
ultrasonic cleaning action. The ultrasonic
energy will increase the temperature of the
cleaning solution.
NOTE: SPOP 203 solutions are used in this SPOP
for the removal of grit after blasting, for
the removal of carbon and scale from the
surfaces of the part, and for the loosening
of any unwanted material from internal
cavities.
NOTE: SPOP 209 solutions are used in this SPOP
for degreasing and for the removal of any
grit remaining after blasting.
(b) Start the ultrasonic generator without the
parts in the tank and operate the generator for
approximately 30 minutes to fully remove the gas
(that is, "degas") the solution.
NOTE: Degassing is only necessary when a new
cleaning solution is added to the tank or
when the equipment has been shut down
for an extended period of time and the
temperature of the solution has decreased
to the ambient temperature.
1 Initial degassing will occur in a few seconds
to a few minutes. The temperature of the
solution and the depth of the tank will have
an effect on the amount of time that will be
necessary to degas the solution. The colder
the solution and the deeper the tank, the
longer the degas time.
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STANDARD PRACTICES MANUAL (PN 585005)
CLEANING PROCEDURES − SPOP−91
2 If the solution has been previously degassed
but the equipment has been shut off for an
extended period of time and the solution and
the temperature of the solution has decreased
to the ambient temperature, operate the unit
for a minimum of 10 minutes to make sure the
solution is degassed.
CAUTION: BE SURE TO SUPPORT PARTS IN THE TANK.
THE ENTIRE TRAILING EDGE OF BLADES AND
VANES SHOULD BE SEATED ON THE RACK FOR
THE MOST EFFECTIVE CLEANING.
CAUTION: IF MORE THAN ONE PART IS CLEANED AT A
TIME, THE PARTS MUST NOT TOUCH EACH
OTHER.
CAUTION: DO NOT STACK PARTS ON TOP OF ONE
ANOTHER.
(c) Put the parts in a rack.
CAUTION: DO NOT PERMIT THE PARTS OR RACK TO TOUCH
THE BOTTOM OR SIDES OF THE TANK.
CAUTION: DO NOT PERMIT PARTS TO HANG FROM THE
SIDE OF THE TANK.
CAUTION: ALL PARTS IN THE RACK MUST BE FULLY
UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE CLEANING
SOLUTION BY ONE INCH (25.4 MM) MINIMUM.
CAUTION: ALL PARTS IN THE RACK MUST BE SEPARATED
FROM THE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF THE TANK BY
TWO INCHES (50.8 MM) MINIMUM.
CAUTION: IF THE PART HAS HOLES AND/OR CAVITIES,
BE SURE TO ROTATE THE FIXTURE/PART TO
MAKE SURE THAT THE PART IS FILLED WITH
CLEANING SOLUTION AND THAT ALL THE AIR
IS REMOVED.
CAUTION: DO NOT OVERLOAD THE TANK WITH TOO MANY
PARTS BECAUSE THEY ABSORB ULTRASONIC
ENERGY, WHICH DECREASES THE EFFECT OF
R
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Pratt & Whitney
STANDARD PRACTICES MANUAL (PN 585005)
CLEANING PROCEDURES − SPOP−91
THE CLEANING ACTION AND INCREASES THE
CLEANING TIME.
CAUTION: THE ULTRASONIC GENERATOR SHOULD BE SHUT
DOWN WHEN PARTS ARE PUT IN OR OUT OF THE
TANK.
R (d) Put the rack into the SPOP 203 or SPOP 209
cleaning solution at the applicable depth.
CAUTION: EXCESSIVE IMMERSION TIME WITH THE
ULTRASONIC TURNED ON WILL CAUSE
CRACKING AND CAVITATION EROSION OF
THE PARTS.
1 Clean the parts for a 5 − 15 minute cycle. Do
not permit the solution temperature to exceed
170°F (77°C).
NOTE: SPOP 203 solutions operate at 160° −
170°F (71° − 77°C) for this process.
NOTE: SPOP 209 solutions operate at the
temperature range specified in SPOP 209
for this process. Do not exceed 170°F
(77°C) because higher temperatures reduce
the effect of the ultrasonic cleaning
action.
NOTE: Ultrasonics will increase the
temperature of the cleaning solution.
NOTE: The cycle time must be controlled by a
timer that automatically shuts off the
ultrasonic generator at the end of the
cycle.
R 2 After the cleaning cycle, raise the rack from
the solution. Be sure that the parts are
secured in the rack.
3 An additional 15−minute cycle can be run.
Maximum ultrasonic time is 60 minutes total,
one time/repair.
(e) Put parts fully in ambient temperature water.
(f) Fully pressure flush with ambient temperature
water.
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STANDARD PRACTICES MANUAL (PN 585005)
CLEANING PROCEDURES − SPOP−91
1 Fully flush the internal empty space of the
part.
2 Make sure that all cooling holes flow water.
(g) Put the part fully in hot water at 150° − 200°F
(66° − 93°C) for as long as necessary to increase
the temperature of the part to flash dry.
D. Postrequisite:
(1) Examine parts for cracks. Refer to the applicable
Cleaning, Inspection, And Repair Manual or Engine
Manual inspection section for FPI requirements. If
fluorescent penetrant inspection has been done,
visually inspect with white light and 10X magnification
for any cracks after ultrasonic cleaning.
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